ED Seizes Rs. 19 Lakh in Massive Immigration Fraud Raids Involving Red Leaf Immigration & Others
(Judicial Quest News Network)
Jalandhar, 26, February, 2025.The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Jalandhar Zonal Office, has conducted a series of high-profile raids on February 25, 2025, at five business and residential premises in Ludhiana and Chandigarh linked to prominent visa consultancy firms, including M/s Red Leaf Immigration Private Limited, M/s Overseas Partner Education Consultants, and M/s Infowiz Software Solution. The raids were carried out under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, in connection with a major money laundering probe into fraudulent immigration services.
During the search operations, ED officials recovered a staggering Rs. 19 Lakh in cash, along with several incriminating documents and digital devices that are expected to shed light on the scale of the fraud.
The investigation was initiated after FIRs were filed by the Punjab Police and Delhi Police, based on a complaint from the Office of Overseas Criminal Investigations, US Embassy, New Delhi, concerning fraudulent activities perpetrated by these immigration consultancies.
The ED’s probe revealed a sophisticated scam where the accused entities forged educational certificates and experience letters for ineligible visa applicants. These applicants, primarily seeking to study or work in the United States, were manipulated by the accused to show false account balances for visa applications in exchange for hefty commissions.
Further investigation has uncovered that the proceeds of crime generated from these fraudulent activities were invested in the purchase of both movable and immovable properties, with funds being funnelled through various bank accounts to conceal the illicit gains.
The ED’s investigation is ongoing, and further revelations are expected as authorities continue to uncover the full extent of the scam.
