Fake Schengen Visa: Seven from Gujarat Arrested

Mumbai’s Sahar Police have arrested seven men from Gujarat after they were deported from Dubai for attempting to travel to Luxembourg using forged Schengen employment visas. The arrests were made at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport following a formal investigation by immigration authorities.

The accused were identified as Kaushikkumar Patel (50), Arthkumar Patel (25), Maharshi Patel (21), Prithvirajgiri Goswami (23), Bhargav Joshi (33), Krunalkumar Prajapati (25), and Mohammed Jed Husenkhan Pathan (26). All hail from different districts of Gujarat including Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad, Mehsana, and Motera.

Fake Visas Detected During Transit

The individuals were intercepted by immigration officials at Dubai International Airport while en route to Luxembourg. During the transit check, inconsistencies were found in their employment visas. Dubai authorities immediately deported them to Mumbai, where Indian immigration officials confirmed the documents were fake.

According to a police official at Sahar Police Station, the forgery was detected through ultraviolet (UV) light inspection, which revealed the absence of critical security features, incorrect fonts, and inconsistent color patterns on the visa stickers.

Agent Allegedly Involved in Visa Scam

Initial investigations revealed that the group had acquired the fraudulent visas through a Gujarat-based agent, known only by the name “Kisan.” The accused reportedly paid large sums of money in exchange for the forged documents, which were promised to grant them employment and legal entry into Luxembourg, a member of the Schengen Zone.

“The agent claimed the visas were genuine and guaranteed entry into any Schengen country,” said a senior police official. “We are working to trace the individual who facilitated this operation.”

Legal Action Underway

The Sahar Police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code related to forgery, cheating, and criminal conspiracy. The arrested individuals remain in police custody as investigations continue. Authorities are also collaborating with immigration and intelligence agencies to uncover any larger racket involved in manufacturing and distributing counterfeit visas.

Rise in Visa-Related Frauds

This incident is part of a growing trend of international travel fraud involving forged documents. Indian immigration authorities have reported a surge in attempts to enter Schengen countries through fraudulent means, often orchestrated by unregistered travel agents operating in smaller towns and rural areas.

Officials have urged citizens to avoid falling prey to illegal immigration schemes and to verify the authenticity of travel documents through official government or embassy channels.