A man in Malappuram, Kerala was recently arrested for allegedly scamming people with fake Schengen visas and passports, according to police reports. The 49-year-old, Mujeeb P.P, was accused of deceiving individuals by promising to arrange their travel abroad using fraudulent documents.
This arrest comes two years after the Indira Gandhi International Airport police apprehended two agents and a passenger traveling with fake Spain visas. The passenger, Vishal Khullar, was given departure immigration clearance to Madrid, Spain based on a Schengen Visa, which was later discovered to be counterfeit by airline staff.
The investigation led to the issuance of a non-bailable warrant against Mujeeb, who was subsequently arrested in Kerala and brought to Delhi on transit remand. He confessed to working with other agents on a commission basis and disclosed his involvement in the scheme to earn money for a luxurious lifestyle.
Police are now looking into their bank accounts and possible involvement in other similar cases. In a separate incident, Spanish authorities recently arrested nine individuals for facilitating the fraudulent acquisition of Schengen visas for Nepalese nationals, highlighting the prevalence of visa scams in the country.
It is important to note that citizens of India must hold a valid visa to enter Europe or the EU’s Schengen Zone countries, regardless of their travel purpose. These incidents serve as a reminder to always verify the authenticity of travel documents and work with reputable agents when planning international trips.
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