Visa scam crackdown: CBI charges 8 people in French Embassy fraud; Interpol Silver Notice issued to trace global assets
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a chargesheet against eight individuals, including a local law officer at the French Embassy in New Delhi and his family members, for their alleged involvement in a high-profile visa fraud racket targeting Schengen visa applicants.
According to a statement issued by the agency on June 11, the chargesheet was filed before the Special CBI Court in New Delhi and names the embassy official, his father, brother, and wife, as well as two visa agents and two middlemen. The case pertains to the fraudulent issuance of Schengen visas between January 2021 and May 2022.
Investigators allege that the accused exploited their position in the visa section of the French Embassy to process and approve visa applications for hefty bribes, primarily from applicants in Punjab.
Visa agents linked to the racket allegedly collected sums ranging from Rs 13 lakh to Rs 45 lakh per applicant, under the promise of quick visa approvals.
The CBI claimed that once the visas were issued, supporting documentation was destroyed to eliminate paper trails. A series of searches in Punjab and Delhi yielded large quantities of unaccounted cash and documents linked to domestic and overseas properties valued in crores.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
12000W лазерен заваръчен апарат (4 в 1) – революция в заваряването!
lesburst.shop
Undo
The agency said the two visa agents acted as key conduits, channeling the illicit funds through various bank accounts, ultimately reaching the embassy official and his family through two middlemen.
Also, the CBI's International Operations Division, working with the Interpol wing of the agency, secured India's first-ever Silver Notice from Interpol to help trace and identify assets acquired overseas through the alleged proceeds of crime.
'This marks a key milestone in India's use of international policing tools to follow the money trail beyond its borders,' the agency said.
The CBI added that it remains committed to combating transnational crime and assisting victims both in India and abroad who fall prey to such organized criminal networks.
Stay informed with the latest
business
news, updates on
bank holidays
and
public holidays
.
AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
15 minutes ago
- Time of India
Five years after Sushant Singh Rajput's death, sister Shweta urges fans not to lose heart even if CBI has submitted report
Sister Shweta's Heartfelt Tribute Appeal to Fans for Positive Remembrance On this day, five years ago, actor Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead in his Bandra apartment . The news of his demise sent shockwaves across India, leaving both the film industry and millions of his admirers in a state of collective grief and disbelief. Known for his powerful performances, intelligence, and magnetic presence, Sushant's loss still feels deeply personal to the passage of time, the circumstances surrounding his death remain clouded by unanswered questions and ongoing legal complexities. The official explanation continues to be scrutinized, with public opinion divided and investigations still surrounded by controversy. Yet amid the ambiguity, what remains certain is the profound emptiness left behind by his his fifth death anniversary, his sister Shweta Singh Kirti took to social media to pay a heartfelt homage to the ' Kai Po Che ' to Instagram, Shweta reminisced about her late brother and his zeal for life and learning. She also urged fans not to spread negativity in his name. Her message delved into the ideals Sushant embodied: a boundless enthusiasm for life, a deep intellectual curiosity, and a sincere, childlike innocence that endeared him to her words, she urged fans not to let grief translate into despair or bitterness but instead to honor her brother by embracing kindness and learning—qualities he passionately stood revealed that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had submitted its findings regarding the case, and her family was in the process of reviewing them. But more than legal progress, her focus remained on encouraging people to stay resilient and faithful, both to goodness and to divine timing. For Shweta, Sushant's soul continues to exist not just in her memories but in the people who uphold his her moving appeal, Shweta also urged Sushant's followers not to allow his name to be misused as a symbol of negativity or hate. She emphasized that every act of unconditional love, every curious question asked, and every innocent joy experienced helps revive Sushant's spirit in some way. She reminded everyone that he was a symbol of inspiration, not conflict. Shweta expressed a desire to see his legacy carried forward by those who light up the world with positivity, just as he did."Every time we love with all our heart, every time we have childlike innocence towards life, and every time we are inclined to learn more, we are bringing him alive. Never use Bhai's name to spread any negative feeling… he wouldn't like that. Let his legacy continue…" she March, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) presented its report to a special court in Mumbai, following a prolonged and high-profile inquiry. The initial investigation conducted by the Mumbai Police had concluded that Sushant Singh Rajput's death appeared to be a reported by the Times Of India, officials at the time found no signs of forced entry into his residence, and early observations pointed towards mental health struggles, with depression being considered a possible factor. His body was discovered hanging from the ceiling fan, a detail that deeply shocked the nation. However, the absence of a suicide note at the scene raised further questions, fueling speculation and demanding a more in-depth June 2020, Sushant Singh Rajput was discovered unresponsive at his apartment in Mumbai, a heartbreaking moment that stunned the nation.
News18
31 minutes ago
- News18
‘I'm Ready For Lie Detector Test, Are You': KTR Dares Telangana CM Over ACB Summons
Last Updated: KTR said he was summoned by Telangana Anti-Corruption Bureau in connection with the alleged irregularities in the Hyderabad Formula E case. Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president KT Rama Rao has hit back at Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy over the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) summons in connection with the alleged irregularities in the Hyderabad Formula E case, demanding a 'lie detector test". KTR has been asked to appear before the ACB at 10 am on Monday. Reacting sharply to the summons, the BRS leader said that the Congress government was trying to divert the attention of the people by keeping them busy with a circus, as they cannot run the government. He said that he was being summoned for the Formula-E case in which Rs 44 crore was transferred from one bank to another, 'and the money was very much in the account of Formula E". He said that, as a law-abiding citizen, he would fully cooperate with the investigation. However, he also took a swipe at the Chief Minister by pointing out that the CM is also being investigated in an ACB case. అబద్ధాలతో అధికారంలోకి వచ్చి, ప్రభుత్వాన్ని నడపడం చేతకాని జోకర్ ముఖ్యమంత్రి ప్రజల దృష్టి మరల్చేందుకు పూటకో వేషం వేస్తున్నాడు.. రోజుకో కుట్ర చేస్తున్నాడు..కానీ ఈ చిల్లర చేష్టలు, పనికిరాని డ్రామాలతో ప్రతినిత్యం తెలంగాణ ప్రజల గొంతుకై పోరాడుతున్న మమ్మల్ని అడ్డుకోలేరని ఈ దద్దమ్మ… — KTR (@KTRBRS) June 13, 2025 'However, the same ACB still has a pending case against Revanth Reddy, who was caught red-handed ten years ago in the vote-for-note scam, with a black bag full of currency bundles. Since both of us are facing ACB cases, does this cowardly Chief Minister have the courage and strength to face a live lie detector test in front of a judge and on live television, to prove who is guilty and who is innocent?" he posted on X. He said that he was ready for a lie detector test and asked the Chief Minister if he was, too. 'I am ready for a lie detector test — are you ready, Revanth Reddy? I am directly asking this in front of four crore people of Telangana. On one hand, as a Chief Minister, you shamelessly admit the state treasury is empty due to your bankrupt policies, and on the other hand, you waste public money on unnecessary investigations. Instead, stop the waste and get ready for a lie detector test immediately," he dared Reddy. First Published:
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
450 kg paneer seized in Chandigarh: 5 ways to check the purity of paneer
Chandigarh's health department seized 450 kg of adulterated paneer and dairy products during a raid, prompting concerns about food safety. Officials cautioned consumers against unusually cheap paneer, as genuine production costs exceed Rs 300 per kg. Paneer is a rich source of protein and other nutrients. Unfortunately, this nutritious food is often making news due to the on-going adulteration in the market. In a major crackdown in Chandigarh, health department officials have seized around 450 kg of paneer and other dairy products from a shop and a vehicle. Scroll down to read the details. According to a TOI report, the food safety administration of the Chandigarh health department conducted a raid in Bapudham Colony, Sector 26 and seized around 450 kg of paneer and other dairy products including ghee and dahi from a shop and a vehicle. As per the report, the seized samples have been sent to a food safety analyst laboratory authorised by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Also, two challans were issued under Section 63 of the Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006. According to the designated officer-cum-licensing authority for food safety, customers should be vigilant while buying paneer from the market. He cautioned consumers against being misled by unusually low prices. As per the report, the cost of paneer cannot be as low as Rs 250 per kg, as it takes about 3 litres of milk with sufficient fat content to produce 1 kg of paneer. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Perdagangkan CFD Emas dengan Broker Tepercaya IC Markets Mendaftar Undo The processing cost alone would exceed Rs 300, the official explained in the report. As per reports, fake paneer is often made by mixing milk powder and water, which is further curdled with lime juice and acetic acid. To which palm oil is added to make it appear creamy and glossy. But the question of concern here is how to recognize a fake paneer at home. While the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a lot of tests and measures to check adulteration in milk and milk products, there are certain ways in which you can do the quality check of store-bought paneer at home as well. Take a look at the following tips and tricks: Try the hand test Take a small amount of paneer and mash it using clean hands. Pure, unadulterated paneer will hold its texture, while adulterated paneer—often made from skimmed milk—will crumble or break apart under slight pressure. Use iodine tincture To test whether the paneer is natural or artificial, one can use iodine tincture. Add water to a pan, place the paneer in it, and bring it to a boil. Let it cool down, then add a few drops of iodine tincture and see if the color changes to blue, which means the paneer is artificial. Use arhar dal For this test, boil paneer in some water, and after it cools down, add some tur dal powder and let it rest for 10 minutes. If the color of the paneer changes to light red, it is a sign that the paneer is made with detergent or urea. Use soybean powder Boil some paneer in water, let it cool down, and then add some soybean powder to it. If the color of the paneer changes to light red, it is a sign that the paneer is made with detergent or urea. Taste test Always take a small bite of paneer before you buy it, especially open counter ones. If it is chewy, it is artificial, and if it tastes very sour, then there are chances that paneer is adulterated with detergent or any other substandard product. Thumb and Embed Images Courtesy: istock One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
