Bengaluru firm under scanner for defrauding job seekers with fake Canada offers, visa promises

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The Puttenahalli police have registered a cheating and forgery case against a Bengaluru-based private firm and its director for allegedly duping people by offering them visa services and jobs in Canada.

According to a report by Deccan Herald, a case was registered against Owlspriority India Pvt Ltd on September 22, on a complaint by Chandan, 25. The company, in its advertisements, claims that it is a Canadian immigration firm with offices in Vancouver and Bengaluru, and has a full-fledged website pretending to be genuine.

In his complainant, Chandan told the police that he first came across the firm in January 2023 through an advertisement on social media, where it was claimed that they would help those seeking jobs in Canada, including visa formalities.

Interested, Chandan registered on the website. Shortly after, he was contacted by someone identifying himself as Vinay Kotari, an executive from the firm, who asked for ₹1,500 to conduct an eligibility test. Chandan made the payment.

As per the report, Chandan visited the firm’s office in JP Nagar and met Kotari on January 28, 2023. Chandan was promised he would “receive all the help to secure a permanent visa from the Canadian government and a job there”, the FIR noted.

Chandan was informed that the service would cost ₹1 lakh. That same day, he transferred ₹50,000 via UPI, with the remaining amount paid a month later. He also submitted his World Education Services (WES) and International English Language Testing System (IELTS) certificates for further processing, and signed a Client Retainer Agreement, a copy of which was emailed to him.

Chandan told police that he received regular updates for a few months after making the payments, but the communication eventually stopped. When he visited the Bengaluru office, he got no response, and none of the promises mentioned in the agreement were fulfilled, the FIR stated.

He alleged that the firm refused to return his money and that they had used fake emails under his name to open two profiles for the “Immigrate through Express Entry” option. When asked, no response was given.

“In the same way, several other people have been cheated of lakhs of rupees,” Chandan was quoted as saying in the FIR. As per the report, a criminal case was registered against Ninan Lawrence, the director of the firm, and four employees Vijaya Durga, Thota Akhil, Tabassum Naz, and Vinay Kotari.

Police confirm multiple complaints

A senior police officer was quoted by Deccan Herald as saying that there were multiple victims. “A few of the identified victims are friends of the complainant.” A few other people also elaborated about being cheated by the company in their Google reviews.

“Investigation is currently underway. The statements of other victims will be taken and will be included in the investigation,” Lokesh B Jagalasar, Deputy Commissioner of Police (South), told DH.