The Central Crime Branch of Greater Chennai City Police busted a network of persons cheating visa applicants by creating a fake website resembling the official Korean visa applicants.
A senior police officer said fraudulent visa network schemes have been discovered recently targeting visa applicants. They have created a fake website and deceive applicants to download fake Korean visas after entering passport information, making it appear as if a real Korean visa has been issued after collecting money.
Police began investigation after Je-Hyoung Lee, Deputy Consul General of the Consulate of Republic of Korea, filed a complaint with the Commissioner of Police, Chennai after discovering a fake Korean visa website being used to cheat Indian nationals.
The complaint was made following an inquiry in January from a student from Nagercoil who received a suspicious visa grant notice. Upon verification, the consulate confirmed that the visa notice was fake, and the QR code in the document led to a forged visa website. Based on the complaint, a case was registered in March at the Cyber Crime Police Station, Central Crime Branch, Chennai and the case was taken up for investigation.
Based on information gathered from domain service providers, the investigation officer and team conducted a raid in Mumbai and on April 29 arrested Mohammed Parvez, 29, the creator of the fake Korea visa website. Further investigation revealed that another accused was, Mahaveer Khathat, 34 of Ajmer, Rajasthan who was identified as the main person behind the fake visa websites for multiple countries.
A special team led by Cyber Crime Police Inspector Abraham Cruz Durairaj proceeded to Rajasthan and arrested him in Jaipur, Rajasthan. He was brought to Chennai and was produced before the Metropolitan Magistrate Court, Saidapet. He was remanded to judicial custody and police seized two laptops, three mobile phones, 14 credit and debit cards from him. The duo had prepared fake visas made for over 100 applicants.
Police said the duo had received Rs 5 lakh through online transfer for visa processing from the Nagercoil student. Police also launched a hunt to nab one more suspect who was connected to the duo and operating from Indonesia.
Published – May 11, 2025 12:57 am IST
