Four Immigration Agents Booked for Duping Families of ₹1.60 Crore in Kurukshetra
The Kurukshetra police have booked four immigration agents for duping two families out of ₹1.60 crore under the pretext of securing job opportunities in the United States. The complainant, Paramjeet Singh, along with his wife and two minor children, became victims of this scam that promised them a better life in the US but instead subjected them to horrific treatment and exploitation.
Paramjeet Singh, a resident of Haibatpur village in Karnal, and his family were initially convinced by the agents that they would be provided with safe passage and jobs in the US. Singh alleged that he paid a staggering ₹1.20 crore to the agents, who promised him a new life in America. The family was transported from India to Mexico, via Italy and Paris, with the assurance of a secure future once they crossed the US border. However, their journey soon took a sinister turn. According to Singh’s complaint, on December 21, 2024, the family was taken to Delhi airport by the agents, where they were joined by two others. From there, their journey through Italy and Paris took them to Mexico, where the nightmare truly began.
Singh described how, upon arriving in Mexico, he and his family were confined to a room, where they were subjected to unimaginable abuse. The agents confiscated their passports and phones, while the family was kept hungry for over six days. Singh claimed that he was tortured with electric shocks, while his wife and children were beaten and threatened. He recalled how the agents made it clear that unless the remaining payment of ₹70 lakh was made, they would harm his children. In a desperate bid to seek help, Singh managed to call his cousin on January 15, 2025. The cousin sent ₹70 lakh in cash, which was collected by three of the agents. CCTV footage captured the transaction, but instead of being freed, the family was taken to the US-Mexico border.
On January 22, 2025, the family was asked to cross the US-Mexico border on their own after being returned their passports and phones, which had been reset. Once they entered the US, the authorities immediately detained them, and they were mistreated before being deported back to India. Upon their return to India, Singh filed a complaint with the Kurukshetra police. Based on his statement, an FIR was registered against the four accused immigration agents – Salinder Bhura, Jinda, Rinku, and Amit Panjeta. The agents are charged under various sections of the IPC, including sections 34, 370, 406, and 420, along with sections 10 and 24 of the Immigration Act. The police have launched an investigation but, as of now, no arrests have been made. In a separate but related incident, Vikas Kumar, a resident of Jognakhera village, alleged that he had been duped of ₹40 lakh by Amit Panjeta, the same agent involved in Singh’s case, under similar pretenses of securing a job in the US.
This case highlights the increasing threat posed by immigration agents who exploit vulnerable individuals seeking better opportunities abroad. The fraudsters often promise lucrative job offers in countries like the US and Canada but end up subjecting their victims to dangerous conditions, abuse, and financial loss. While authorities have begun investigating these cases, the lack of immediate arrests and prosecutions raises concerns about the accountability of such agents and the effectiveness of legal safeguards for those duped. The Kurukshetra police have registered multiple cases against the agents, but their continued absence from the investigation further underscores the challenges faced by law enforcement in dealing with cross-border immigration fraud. It is crucial for the authorities to take swift action and ensure justice for the victims of these unscrupulous agents. As the investigation continues, it remains to be seen whether these criminals will be held accountable for their role in deceiving families and subjecting them to horrific conditions.
