Fake Canadian admission scam exposed: Study abroad dream turns fraud as Chandigarh panel orders ₹12.35 lakh refund to student

A district consumer commission in Chandigarh has directed a visa consultant and a former employee to refund ₹12.35 lakh, along with interest, to a 21-year-old woman after finding that fake admission documents were used to mislead her into believing she had secured admission in a Canadian college.

Complaint Filed After Visa Consultancy Ad Offer

The complainant, Aastha Saini, approached “BB Council,” an immigration and student visa consultancy, after seeing a Facebook advertisement promoting Canadian study visa services. She was assisted by representative Pushpinder Kaur during the process.

Between April and August 2022, Saini paid a total of ₹12,35,000 in multiple instalments — ₹35,000 via bank transfer to Ravinder Singh’s account and ₹12 lakh in cash handed directly to Pushpinder Kaur.

Fake Admission Documents Issued

During the process, Saini was provided with an offer letter dated June 1, 2022, and a letter of acceptance dated June 27, 2022, both indicating admission to a Canadian institution.

However, delays in the process prompted her to directly contact the institution, Academy of Learning (AOL College), which confirmed in writing that "no admission record existed in the complainant's name."

Refund Denied and Legal Action Initiated

When Saini sought a refund, the consultancy claimed it had received only ₹35,000 and alleged that Pushpinder Kaur. After her legal notice failed to elicit a response, she filed a complaint before the consumer commission.

Absence of Accused Strengthens Case

Ravinder Singh and Pushpinder Kaur did not appear before the commission despite receiving notices. The bench observed that their absence weakened their defence and indicated they had no explanation to offer.

The commission, headed by president Amrinder Singh Sidhu and member Brij Mohan Sharma, relied on evidence including the email from the Canadian college confirming that the admission documents were fabricated.

The commission stated: "The complainant has proved that she approached the OPs for obtaining a Canadian Study Visa after seeing their advertisement and deposited Rs 35,000 on 25.04.2022 in the account of OP No.2 Ravinder Singh. She has further deposed on oath that subsequent amounts of Rs 2,00,000 on 03.06.2022, Rs 6,50,000 on 15.06.2022 and Rs 3,50,000 on 02.08.2022 were paid in cash to Ms Pushpinder Kaur, who was admittedly working as an executive of the OPs at the relevant time," the commission said.

"The conduct of OP No.2 & 4 in receiving consideration for processing the complainant's study visa, issuing documents representing that admission had been secured, failing to complete the promised services and thereafter not refunding the amount clearly amounts to deficiency in service as well as unfair trade practice," it said.

The commission ordered Ravinder Singh and Pushpinder Kaur to refund ₹12,35,000 with 9% annual interest from the date of each payment, along with ₹20,000 compensation for harassment and litigation costs, to be paid within 45 days.

[With TOI inputs]