Tamil Nadu: 2 persons arrested in Chennai for issuing fake certificates to US visa applicants

Chennai police have arrested two people for allegedly creating fake educational documents while applying for a US visa.

The police action was taken following a complaint submitted on October 22 on behalf of the US consulate by a foreign criminal inspector.

According to the complaint, the accused, identified as Ajay Bhandaria, applied for a work visa by producing a diploma in hotel management from Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management and a work experience certificate from Mariott Hotel and Convention Center, which turned out to be fake.

During an interview with U.S. consulate officials, Bhandaria also admitted to obtaining false documents and work experience. He further informed the officials that an amount of five lakh rupees had been paid for the purchase of the documents from a company called Dream for Overseas Private Limited based in Hyderabad.

After receiving a complaint from the US Consulate in connection with the case, the Chennai Police team lodged a case with the concerned sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita and the head of Dream for Overseas Consultancy, Balanandeswara Rao and another person identified as Kopse Mahesh were arrested from Hyderabad.

The investigation team found that a fee of five lakh rupees was charged for providing fake experience and education certificates. According to the police, Mahesh also issued fake course certificates from Sybil Technologies, a skill development institute run by him.

The police also seized 90 fake certificates and fake stamps kept by Mahesh.