New Delhi: The Crime Branch of Delhi Police, Eastern Range-I, has busted a major visa fraud racket that targeted Nepali citizens by luring them with promises of overseas jobs in Serbia.
In a meticulously planned operation, police arrested two prime accused, recovered original passports of victims, and seized digital evidence exposing the scale of the scam.
According to officials, the syndicate defrauded at least 19 Nepali nationals of nearly ₹70 lakh by collecting money under the pretext of arranging Serbian employment visas.
The racket was being operated by a group of travel agents who specialized in duping vulnerable individuals from Nepal and India by showing them forged documents and fake job offers.
Complaint Exposes Racket
The case came to light on August 22, 2025, when a 22-year-old Nepali national, Mr. Sujan Khadka, currently staying at Neel Gagan Hotel, Paharganj, lodged a written complaint with the ACP of Eastern Range-I, Crime Branch.
Khadka alleged that he, along with 18 other Nepali citizens, had been defrauded by an individual named Jayakab. In April 2024, the accused had approached the complainant and his associates in Jagjeet Nagar, Seelampur, Delhi, claiming to have influential connections capable of securing jobs in Serbia.
To gain their trust, he allegedly showed scanned copies of Serbian visas and job offer letters. Convinced by these assurances, the victims handed over their original passports.
In May 2024, the accused demanded €3,500 per person, amounting to nearly ₹70 lakh in total, which was collected via QR code transactions linked to associates’ bank accounts.
By July 2025, the victims traveled to Delhi from Nepal expecting to receive their visas and flight details. However, once in the city, they faced repeated delays, excuses, and eventually outright refusal from the accused.
When the victims confronted him at his residence in Seelampur demanding their passports and money, he allegedly threatened their lives. Later verification confirmed that the visas shown to them were fake.
FIR and Investigation
Taking cognizance of the complaint, a case was registered at the Crime Branch under FIR No. 222 dated 25.08.2025, invoking provisions of cheating, forgery, breach of trust, and criminal intimidation under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
A special team was formed to investigate the matter. Acting swiftly on leads, the team tracked down and arrested Jayakab (41), a resident of Greater Noida. From his possession, police recovered 13 Nepali passports belonging to victims and a mobile phone containing incriminating chats.
During sustained interrogation, he revealed the involvement of his close associates Rupesh (42), Sachin, and George alias Bijoj. Follow-up raids were conducted, leading to the arrest of Rupesh from Chhawla, Delhi, while efforts are underway to nab the remaining accused.
Seizures and Evidence
The police have so far recovered:
- 13 original Nepali passports belonging to defrauded citizens
- Two mobile phones containing incriminating evidence
- Details of hawala and banking transactions used to launder the cheated money
Investigators confirmed that the syndicate was operating a sophisticated fraud, using forged job offers and visas to deceive victims. Communication among the accused was limited to WhatsApp calls and encrypted messages, while SIM cards were deliberately avoided to prevent tracking.
Modus Operandi
According to investigators, the racket followed a fixed pattern:
- Targeting victims — The accused identified vulnerable Nepali citizens aspiring to work abroad.
- Gaining trust — They displayed fabricated Serbian visas and forged job letters.
- Collection of money — Huge sums, ranging from ₹5 to ₹10 lakh per person, were collected digitally or in cash.
- Confiscating passports — Victims were made to surrender original passports as a security measure.
- Abandoning victims — Once funds were received, the accused would delay, disappear, or threaten the victims when confronted.
Police said that the racket was not limited to Serbia alone. Victims were also promised employment opportunities in Gulf countries and other parts of Europe.
Profiles of Accused
Jayakab: Originally from District Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh, he had studied up to Class 12 in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand. His proficiency in the Nepali language enabled him to work as a self-styled travel agent targeting Nepali citizens. Police revealed that he had been duping people for several years in collusion with his associates.
Rupesh: A native of Siwan district in Bihar, Rupesh resides in Delhi with his family. A B.Com graduate, he has been working as a travel agent for nearly 15 years. He had been associated with Jayakab for the past four years. Together, they cheated several Nepali and Indian youths by offering fake job opportunities abroad.
Financial Trail
Investigations into the money trail revealed that about ₹60 lakh was funneled from Nepal to India between April and July 2025.
- Funds were transferred from Nepal through bank accounts arranged by one Ashish Pandey, a Nepali citizen.
- Money was routed via hawala couriers and handed over to Rupesh in Delhi.
- Part of the funds, approximately ₹20 lakh, was deposited into the accounts of Pooja (wife of Jayakab), and associates Koshal and Basant.
The distribution of cheated funds was carried out equally among the four main associates. Police said more recoveries are likely as the investigation progresses.
Broader Implications
The case has once again highlighted the growing menace of visa fraud rackets in India, particularly those preying on citizens from neighboring countries seeking overseas employment. Officials said the operation demonstrated how organized criminal networks exploit trust, language, and aspirations to orchestrate financial scams.
A senior Crime Branch officer remarked, “This case reflects how vulnerable groups, particularly foreign nationals, fall prey to unscrupulous agents who exploit their desire to work abroad. Delhi Police is committed to identifying and dismantling such organized networks and bringing the accused to justice.”
Police have also appealed to the public to remain vigilant and avoid dealing with unverified agents promising overseas jobs. Citizens are encouraged to verify employment opportunities through official government channels and embassies.
Current Status
Both accused — Jayakab and Rupesh — are currently in police custody, while efforts are underway to arrest the absconding members of the racket. Investigators are also scrutinizing bank records and digital transactions to track the flow of funds.
Authorities indicated that this may be part of a wider network involving cross-border operators, and coordination with Nepali authorities has been initiated.
The case remains under active investigation, with Delhi Police confident of making further arrests and recoveries in the coming weeks.
