20 Women Detained at Hyderabad Airport Over Suspected Fake Muscat Visas
Twenty women bound for Muscat were stopped at Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Airport after immigration officials suspected that the visas they were carrying were forged. The passengers were prevented from boarding their Oman Air flight and later handed over to the airport police outpost after detailed document verification reportedly revealed irregularities in their travel papers.
The incident unfolded at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) in Shamshabad during routine immigration checks. Officials examining passengers' passports and visas reportedly noticed discrepancies in the documents presented by the women. A closer examination led authorities to conclude that the visas were suspected to be fake, prompting immediate action.
The women, who had arrived at the airport prepared to travel to Muscat, were stopped before they could proceed with boarding. Immigration authorities subsequently transferred them to the airport police for further investigation.
Police probe possible recruitment fraud
Police have begun questioning each of the women individually to determine the circumstances under which they obtained the visas. Investigators are examining several aspects of the case, including the districts the women belong to, whether they were travelling overseas for employment, who arranged their travel documents, and how much money they paid for the visa and recruitment process.
Authorities suspect that the women may have been targeted by travel agents or recruitment networks promising overseas jobs. Investigators are exploring whether forged visas were supplied to them while substantial sums were collected under the pretext of arranging legitimate employment opportunities abroad.
The inquiry is also focused on identifying those responsible for preparing and distributing the suspected fake visas. Police are examining the possible involvement of travel agencies, intermediaries and other individuals connected to the recruitment process.
Investigation widens into possible fake visa network
Officials are also trying to determine whether the case is limited to the 20 women intercepted at the airport or if it is linked to a larger fake visa racket. The investigation is expected to trace the origin of the forged documents and identify everyone involved in the suspected operation.
Authorities said the role of those who created the visas, supplied them to applicants and facilitated overseas travel arrangements is under scrutiny. If required, investigators may coordinate with police in other states as part of the probe.
Cases involving fraudulent overseas job offers have periodically surfaced across India, with job seekers often falling victim to forged travel documents and fake employment promises. Such cases typically involve unauthorised intermediaries posing as recruitment agents and collecting large amounts of money from prospective workers.
Authorities advise caution for overseas job seekers
Following the incident, officials urged people seeking employment abroad to complete the recruitment process only through government-recognised recruitment agencies. They also advised travellers to verify their visas, employment contracts and all travel documents well before departure.
Authorities further cautioned job seekers against relying on intermediaries offering attractive overseas salary packages without proper documentation, warning that such offers can sometimes be part of fraudulent recruitment schemes.
The investigation into the suspected fake visa case is continuing.