The Cyber Crime Branch (CCB) of Chennai Police has arrested Mohammed Parvez, a 29-year-old man from Mumbai, for operating a fraudulent Korean visa portal. The scam came to light when an Indian national contacted the Consulate of the Republic of Korea in Chennai on January 27, expressing doubts about the authenticity of an E-7 visa grant notice he had received. Upon verification, consulate officials confirmed the document was forged.
Investigations revealed that the QR code on the fake visa notice led to a fraudulent portal operated by Parvez. The portal was registered using the address of a fish stall in Mumbai, raising suspicions about its legitimacy. The Korean Deputy Consul General, Jee Hyoung Lee, filed a complaint with the Chennai City Commissioner of Police, prompting a thorough investigation.
The CCB traced the fraudulent portal’s operator to Mumbai with the assistance of domain service providers. Further inquiries in Bihar and Maharashtra led to the arrest of Parvez in Mumbai. He was produced before the XI Metropolitan Magistrate Court in Saidapet and remanded in judicial custody.
Authorities have shut down the fraudulent portal, and the Korean consulate has commended the swift action taken by the CCB. Police are continuing to investigate the full extent of the scam and are looking into potential links to other fraudulent activities.
This case highlights the growing concern of cyber frauds targeting individuals seeking employment opportunities abroad. The public is advised to exercise caution and verify the authenticity of visa-related communications to avoid falling victim to such scams.
