The Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport Police have dismantled an interstate syndicate accused of supplying counterfeit French D-type visas to Indian job seekers. Officials confirmed that four individuals—including an agent from Tamil Nadu and three passengers—have been arrested.
The case surfaced on October 28 when immigration officers at Terminal 3 intercepted three Indian-origin passengers attempting to fly to Paris using forged D-type visas. The documents were examined and found to be counterfeit, lacking essential security elements.
The detained passengers were identified as Naveeraj Subramaniyam (23) and Prabhakaran Senthilkumar (28), both from Namakkal, and Mohan Gandhi Elangovan (38) from Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu. All three were arrested, and a case was registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Passport Act at IGI Airport Police Station.
During interrogation, Subramaniyam revealed that his brother had arranged the fake visa for Rs6 lakh. The other two admitted to paying Rs12 lakh each to a Namakkal-based agent. Police later identified this agent as V. Kannan (55), who was tracked down in Namakkal and arrested.
According to DCP (IGI) Vichitra Veer, Kannan operates a government-affiliated Industrial Training Institute in Paramathi and also runs an overseas consultancy in Velur. He named an associate, Sathik Syed alias Abdul Hakim, from Madurai, who is currently absconding.
Investigators discovered that the syndicate had targeted at least 16 job seekers, promising warehouse jobs in Paris. The group conducted brief interviews to appear legitimate before collecting payments partly in cash and partly via bank transfers, and then providing forged visas.
IGI Airport Police noted that 26 individuals—including six agents—are linked to the wider network, and further arrests are expected as the investigation progresses.
