<a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-crime-news/article/mumbai-cyber-fraud-racket-three-held-after-probe-finds-2898-sim-cards-and-rs-24-crore-transactions-23649595" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Mumbai police</a> have arrested two people, including a 23-year-old man from Gujarat, for allegedly submitting a forged employment letter to obtain a US visa, officials said on Saturday.
The accused have been identified as Harshkumar Thakor, a resident of Gojariya in Gujarat's Mahesana district, and Vinay Pathak, who allegedly acted as an agent in the case.
The case was registered following a complaint by an overseas criminal investigator at the US Consulate in Mumbai's Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), police said.
<h2>Suspicions raised during visa interview</h2>
According to police, the alleged fraud came to light during Thakor's visa interview at the US Consulate.
Consulate officials reportedly became suspicious of a joining letter submitted by Thakor. The document was purportedly issued by the India office of a shipping company and was presented as proof of his employment and eligibility for visa-related support.
As part of the verification process, consulate officials sent a copy of the letter to the company concerned to establish whether it was genuine.
The company subsequently informed the consulate that Thakor was not employed by it and that it had not issued any visa support letter or employment-related document in his name, police said.
The discrepancy prompted the consulate to approach the Mumbai police, leading to an i<a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-crime-news/article/six-arrested-as-mumbai-police-smash-rajasthan-gang-using-shell-firms-to-route-cyber-fraud-money-23647766" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">nvestigation into the documents</a> submitted during the visa process.
<h2>Police allege agent fabricated documents</h2>
During the preliminary investigation, police allegedly found that Pathak had fabricated documents for Thakor.
Investigators also examined communication between the two accused and found WhatsApp messages that allegedly indicated an arrangement between them. According to the complaint, Thakor had agreed to pay Pathak after the visa was processed.
Police are investigating the circumstances in which the allegedly forged employment letter was prepared and whether any other documents were created or submitted as part of the visa application.
The investigation is also focused on determining the extent of Pathak's involvement and whether other people were involved in arranging the documents.
<h2>Police trace accused through visa documents</h2>
Police said Thakor holds an Indian passport that was issued in Ahmedabad.
Investigators have also launched a search for Thakor's uncle, who allegedly introduced him to Pathak. Police are looking into the role of the uncle and whether he was aware of the alleged document fraud.
The investigation will also seek to establish how the accused came into contact with the agent and whether similar applications involving allegedly fabricated employment documents were submitted previously.
<h2>Accused produced before Bandra court</h2>
The two arrested accused were produced before a court in <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-crime-news/article/mumbai-crime-branch-arrests-five-alleged-bogus-doctors-in-citywide-crackdown-23644864" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Bandra</a>, where further legal proceedings were initiated.
Police said the investigation is continuing and that additional details are likely to emerge as investigators examine the documents, electronic communications and other evidence collected during the probe.
Officials are also examining the circumstances surrounding the submission of the alleged forged letter to the US Consulate and the intended use of the document in the visa application process.
(With inputs from PTI)

Mumbai police have arrested two people, including a 23-year-old man from Gujarat, for allegedly submitting a forged employment letter to obtain a US visa

Mumbai police arrest two for submitting forged letter to secure US visa

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The accused have been identified as Harshkumar Thakor, a resident of Gojariya in Gujarat's Mahesana district, and Vinay Pathak, who allegedly acted as an agent in the case

Mumbai police arrest two for allegedly submitting forged employment letter to secure US visa

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