The anti-immigration fraud unit has arrested three members of an inter-state gang, including the mastermind Sahil Sharma, for allegedly duping over 100 people by promising overseas placements, officials said.
During raids, police seized assets worth Rs1.25 crore, including 874 grams of gold and diamond jewelry, Rs26.50 lakh in cash, 12 mobile phones, a laptop, 25 ATM cards, two passports, and an XUV 500 vehicle.
Investigations revealed the gang operated across Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh, maintaining fake bank accounts and SIM cards, likely aided by insiders in banks and telecom companies.
Panchkula ACP Vikram Nehra stated that the investigation began when Shivcharan Singh of Sector 32 filed a complaint on July 22, reporting that he had been approached by Sahil Sharma of Ambala, who posed as a legitimate overseas placement agent. Sharma demanded Rs14 lakh, of which Rs5 lakh was transferred to his account and Rs9 lakh paid in cash.
Police first arrested Paramjit Singh of Fatehgarh Sahib from Kharar on October 24, who was using a fake identity, “Pradeep Singh.” Interrogation led to the capture of the main accused, Sahil Sharma, from a rented flat in Jaipur on November 3.
Sahil Sharma, an MBA graduate and former government teacher, frequently moved locations using fake SIM cards and multiple mobile phones. He had previously been arrested in Jalandhar under a false name
A woman accomplice, Ramanpreet Kaur of Yamunanagar, was also arrested on a production warrant.
On June 10, the gang summoned about 80 people to Delhi airport with fake passports and tickets for Australia before fleeing. They also operated offices in Ludhiana, Zirakpur, and Yamunanagar, targeting unsuspecting victims across northern India.
Police said further investigations are ongoing to identify additional victims and dismantle the remaining network.
