Fake US visa document racket busted

Police today said it has busted a racket allegedly named 'Kabootarbaazi' involved in providing fake documents to US visa applicants in lieu of lakhs, and has arrested three Punjab based persons in this connection.
A couple identified as Ashok and Meena Tiwari, who have been running firm named Future Birdies Immigration Consultant in Patiala, Punjab, and one of their customers William Jeet Singh (38) were arrested by the New Delhi Police.
"The racket came to light on March 10 when William applied for a non-immigrant visa at the United States Embassy in New Delhi. He claimed that he was born on August 10, 1976 in Patiala, Punjab, and presented Indian passport number as proof of his identity," DCP (New Delhi) Vijay Singh said.

As part of the process, he submitted a visa application wherein he claimed to own 'Punjab Rice Manufacturers', located at Sirhind Road, Patiala, Punjab and submitted a fake letterhead of the company in support.
However, in the interview with Embassy officials, he said does not own or work for Punjab Rice Manufacturers, and the letterhead was given by Meera Tiwari, an agent, the DCP said.
Meera had allegedly told William that she would prepare Singh's visa application and provide Punjab Rice Manufacturers employment document in exchange of Rs 2 lakh.

On the basis of a complaint filed by Embassy officials, a case was registered at Chanakyapuri Police Station and William was arrested. Meera was arrested on April 3.

The DS-160 form for US visa of William and his wife Neetu Gandhi was filled from the Tiwaris' office in October 2014. However, Meera claimed ignorance regarding this as she said she was out of India then.
Upon investigation, it was found that Meera's husband Ashok Tiwari had filled the online form and handed over photo copies of the couple's US visa and the letterhead of 'Punjab Rice Manufacturers' to William.
When verified, it was found that no such company existed at the said address at Sirhind Road, Patiala, Punjab.
Ashok had charged Rs 20,000 as advance and assured William that they had links in US Embassy and asked for Rs 1.8 lakh after he got the US visa.

Following these revelations, Ashok was also arrested, police said, adding that further investigation is in progress.