By Staff Reporter
DUBAI-A Dubai-based Indian businesswoman and founder of an immigration consultancy has been arrested in Kerala after she was detained at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport over alleged visa fraud.
The woman, identified by her initials as P.M.S., arrived in Kerala from Dubai on Thursday morning and was detained by immigration officials before being handed over to airport police, according to Kerala Police.
Police said she was subsequently transferred to Palarivattom Police in Ernakulam district, which had issued a lookout circular (LOC) against her.
Palarivattom Inspector of Police Manjith Lal said the arrest was made on allegations of cheating and violations of India’s Immigration Act.
The LOC was reportedly issued following complaints from two applicants who alleged that they had been cheated of a combined Rs14 lakh by the company’s Kochi office.
Police said more than 10 complaints had been received, although only two cases had been formally registered at the time of the arrest.
“We have found fraudulent activities at most of their offices and our preliminary investigation has found that more than 100 applicants have been duped,” Inspector Lal was quoted as saying.
The allegations reportedly involve overseas employment and visa services, with some complaints linked to purported job opportunities in countries including Poland and Armenia.
Business interests in UAE and India
P.M.S. is described as the founder and chief executive of a multinational consultancy with operations in India and the UAE. The company advertises immigration and migration-related services for destinations including Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and European countries.
Her Dubai office, located in Karama, however, describes its activities as project management services.
She also owns a recently opened branch of a popular restaurant in Bahrain and has built a public profile within the Malayali business community.
The entrepreneur has previously received a Young Woman Entrepreneur Award from Kerala Tourism Minister P.C. Vishnunadh, while videos showcasing her lifestyle in Dubai have circulated widely online.
Company yet to comment
Gulf News contacted the woman’s Dubai company for a response to the allegations.
An employee who answered the call said staff were unaware of the arrest and would arrange a response. However, no response was received, and subsequent calls to the company went unanswered.
The allegations remain subject to investigation and any further legal proceedings in Kerala.
