A 37-year-old customer service executive from Ahmedabad has accused an overseas visa agent of cheating him and his wife of approximately Rs 11.65 lakh by promising jobs and work permits in Europe and Dubai, according to a complaint registered with Anandnagar police. Police have registered a case and are investigating the alleged transactions, documents and roles of people named in the complaint.
The complainant, Chintanbhai Satishbhai Shah, a Naranpura resident, alleged that Deval Hemantkumar Joshi collected money from the couple between 2024 and 2026, promising to arrange overseas employment. However, the Norway application did not result in a work visa, and the complainant was subsequently sent to the UAE on a tourist visa, where he was allegedly told to find a job himself.
Introduced through school principal
According to the complaint, the couple was introduced to Joshi through Jarnaben, principal of Vedanta International School in Satellite, where their eight-year-old daughter studied. In June 2024, when Jarnaben learnt Shah was preparing for the IELTS examination to pursue opportunities abroad, she reportedly connected him with Joshi, describing him as a visa and insurance agent.
Joshi allegedly quoted Rs 15 lakh to arrange a work visa for a European country. The couple initially considered Poland but later explored employment in Norway after rejecting the Polish offer over its comparatively low salary. The complainant alleged the couple initially paid Rs 2 lakh in cash to Joshi at the school, and between June and December 2024 made additional payments through digital platforms and bank transfers to Joshi, his wife and accounts associated with his office, Dream Overseas.
Blurred documents and embassy visit
Joshi allegedly sent Shah a document purportedly issued by Norway's Directorate of Immigration, dated November 11, 2024, followed by an employment offer said to be from Samsung in Norway promising about 31,000 euros a month in Oslo. However, the name and logo of the purported employer were blurred, prompting Shah to question its authenticity. Joshi allegedly told him a complete offer letter would be provided after the remaining payment was made.
Shah claimed he was assured the visa process would be completed within six months, and relying on the assurance, he resigned from his existing job, with his notice period ending on January 15, 2025. In January 2025, Joshi allegedly sent another document described as an immigration employment paper, but several details were obscured and Shah's surname was incorrectly mentioned. In March 2025, he allegedly received another document described as a legal paper from Norway and proof of residence, along with a recommendation letter from VFS Global, and was asked to visit the Norwegian Embassy in Mumbai.
Dubai trip and refund demand
During his embassy visit, the barcode on one document reportedly could not be scanned. Shah alleged Joshi said he would speak to a person identified as Mitesh, who subsequently supplied a barcode number manually. After waiting several months without receiving a visa, Shah sought the return of his passport, which he received by courier in September 2025. Joshi allegedly later demanded additional money towards Norwegian immigration fees, which Shah claimed he paid in cash on C G Road, but the work visa still did not materialise.
After the Norway process failed, Joshi allegedly offered to arrange a job in Dubai, promising a work permit and a monthly salary. On December 1, 2025, Joshi reportedly sent Shah a Dubai tourist visa. When Shah questioned why he had not received a work visa, Joshi allegedly assured him he would accompany him and arrange the permit within two days of arrival. The complainant travelled to Dubai with Joshi towards the end of December 2025, but after arriving in the UAE in January 2026, he alleged Joshi stayed at a hotel while he was sent to accommodation used by a labour contractor in Sharjah and told to attend interviews and find employment himself within 10 days. Shah said he confronted Joshi, returned to Ahmedabad citing his wife's ill health, and later sought a refund after deducting legitimate expenses, which Joshi allegedly refused. The complaint refers to total payments of Rs 16.65 lakh, while the complainant claims about Rs 11.65 lakh remains unreturned after accounting for certain expenses and refunds, and the precise accounting remains to be verified. Anandnagar police are investigating.
