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Have you also dreamed of studying in Canada or any other country? Is any agent or immigration consultancy giving you assurance of admission in a foreign college? If yes, then be very careful. A small carelessness on your part can ruin both your years of savings and your career. Recently, a case of major fraud of more than Rs 12 lakh involving a 21 year old student in the name of sending her abroad has come to light. He was given a formal offer letter from a Canadian college, but when he contacted the college himself, the ground slipped from under his feet. The Canadian college clearly stated that there is no admission of the student in their records. Now on this matter, Chandigarh District Consumer Commission has given a big and strict decision against the fraudsters.
Girl student trapped after seeing advertisement, paid Rs 12.35 lakh in installments
This whole matter is related to a student named Aastha Saini. He had seen an attractive advertisement for a study visa and immigration consultancy on the social media platform Facebook. It was claimed in the advertisement that this firm helps students in getting admission in top colleges of Canada and student visa. Falling into the trap, the student paid a total of Rs 12.35 lakh in different installments between April and August 2022. Some of this amount was given through bank transfer and the rest was deposited in cash. In return, the consultancy also handed him the official looking offer letter and receipts of the college.
An email from a Canadian college revealed the secret of fraud
The student became suspicious due to the constant procrastination on the part of the consultancy and delay in the visa process. He wanted to know the status of his admission by sending an email directly to the concerned educational institution in Canada. The reply from the college surprised everyone. The institute informed in writing that they do not have any record of any student with this name and the documents given to them are completely fake and fake. After realizing that she was cheated, when the student asked for her money back from the consultancy, they flatly refused to give the refund.
Consumer Commission strict: Order to return the amount with 9% interest and compensation
After not receiving any response to the legal notice, the victim student approached the Chandigarh District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission. The District Consumer Commission, considering the seriousness of the case and considering the official email of the Canadian College as evidence, found both the accused visa consultant and his former employee guilty. Giving strict orders, the Commission said that the accused should return the entire amount of Rs 12.35 lakh to the student along with 9 percent annual interest from the date of payment. Along with this, instructions have been given to pay an additional Rs 20,000 as compensation for the mental torture and legal expenses suffered by the student. This complete payment will have to be made within 45 days.
How to avoid fraud in the name of studying abroad?
If you also want to take admission in a foreign university, then always keep these important things in mind so that you do not become a victim of fraud:
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Confirm directly with the college: After receiving the offer letter or admission letter from the agent, get your credentials checked by contacting the official email ID or phone number of the concerned foreign college.
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Check status on official portal: Track the live status of your application by visiting the official website of the college before and after taking admission.
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Send fees directly to college account: Do not deposit college tuition fees in the personal or current account of any agent or consultancy. Always transfer the fees through the official bank account of the college or their authorized payment gateway.
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Keep documents and receipts safe: Always keep important evidence like receipt of every penny given to the agent, agreement copy and WhatsApp chat.