The Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested four individuals for their alleged involvement in a highly organised fake visa racket that primarily targeted those seeking travel to the European nation of Luxembourg, along with certain other foreign destinations. The accused have been identified as Mayank Bhardwaj, Tejendra Gajjar, Manish Patel, and Tabrez Kashmiri. Officials described the operation as a well-planned criminal enterprise that exploited the desperation of people willing to pay large sums in the hope of securing overseas opportunities.
The case began to take shape when Inspector P. B. Desai, an officer with the ATS, received credible intelligence about suspicious activities involving visa applications. Acting promptly on the information, Desai initiated an investigation, which revealed that Bhardwaj and his associates had allegedly been charging between ₹8 lakh and ₹10 lakh from each individual in exchange for assurances that valid visas would be arranged. The promise of smooth, trouble-free travel convinced many victims to part with substantial amounts of money.
Investigators summoned both Bhardwaj and Gajjar for questioning. Under sustained interrogation, the pair reportedly admitted to having arranged fake Luxembourg visas for at least five clients. These fraudulent documents were not produced by them directly but were acquired through Manish Patel, who in turn sourced them from Mumbai-based accused Tabrez Kashmiri. This admission allowed ATS officers to trace the fraudulent supply chain and link all four suspects to the same criminal network.
In order to verify the authenticity of the documents, ATS officials contacted the Embassy of Luxembourg in India. Embassy representatives quickly confirmed that the visas in question were entirely counterfeit and had never been issued by their office. This confirmation provided solid evidence for the prosecution’s case and highlighted the sophistication of the forgery work involved.
Further investigation into the backgrounds of the five individuals who had been given the fake visas revealed another layer to the scheme. All five had previously applied for legitimate Luxembourg visas but were rejected because of falsified employment records in their applications. This pattern suggested that the accused were deliberately targeting those who had already been denied entry by legal means, knowing such individuals might be more open to alternative, illicit solutions.
Digital forensics played a crucial role in expanding the scope of the investigation. When ATS officers examined the mobile devices of the accused, they found data indicating that counterfeit visas had been produced for as many as 39 additional individuals. These documents were made to look authentic by placing forged visa stickers onto genuine passports, giving them the appearance of legitimate travel authorisations. Victims, believing the visas were genuine, paid large amounts of money without realising they were being defrauded.
Authorities have registered a formal case under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including charges related to cheating, forgery, and criminal conspiracy. The investigation is ongoing, with ATS officers working to trace other individuals who may be connected to the racket. Police believe there could be additional players in the network, including intermediaries who helped recruit victims and coordinate payments.
At present, Bhardwaj, Gajjar, Patel, and Kashmiri remain in ATS custody while interrogations continue. The team is focused on uncovering the full extent of the operation, tracking the movement of funds, and determining whether similar fake visa rackets have been operating in other states. Authorities have also urged the public to be cautious when approached with offers of overseas travel that promise unusually quick or guaranteed visa approvals, stressing that such deals often involve fraudulent practices.
