UK visa fraud in Gujarat – Valsad
A major passport fraud has been exposed in Valsad after the Special Operations Group (SOG) arrested two young men who allegedly created fake birth certificates, Aadhaar cards, and PAN cards to hide their criminal history and obtain passports illegally.
The accused, identified as Bhavik Sandeep Fankveer and Pragneshkumar Sandeep Fankveer, were reportedly trying to secure passports by submitting forged documents through the Regional Passport Office in Surat. Their ultimate goal was to settle in the United Kingdom (UK), using their parents Portuguese citizenship as an advantage.
However, during police verification at Valsad City Police Station, suspicious discrepancies in their documents triggered a deeper investigation, leading to the exposure of the entire fraud.
The case has now been registered under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Passport Act, and further investigation is underway.
Secret Tip-Off Helped Valsad SOG Crack the Passport Scam
According to police sources, the Valsad SOG received confidential information that two suspicious passport applications had been submitted at the Surat Regional Passport Office by residents of Valsad.
Acting on the tip-off, the police team launched an investigation and carefully examined the documents submitted by both applicants. During scrutiny, officials found major irregularities in the birth certificates, Aadhaar cards, and PAN cards submitted by the accused.
When these files reached Valsad City Police Station for official verification, police officers noticed that the documents did not match government records, raising immediate suspicion. This alertness by local police played a key role in exposing what appears to be a well-planned passport fraud racket.
Criminal Background Hidden to Secure UK Settlement
The biggest revelation in the case was that both accused were determined to settle in the United Kingdom at any cost.
Under UK visa regulations, children of Portuguese citizens can often receive visa benefits and easier pathways to citizenship. Since the parents of both accused are natives of Daman and hold Portuguese passports, the brothers were hoping to use this route for migration.
However, both Bhavik and Pragneshkumar reportedly had multiple criminal cases registered against them in the past, making it difficult for them to clear police verification for passport approval.
To avoid rejection, they allegedly arranged fake birth certificates from Valsad Municipality and used them to create a fresh identity through forged Aadhaar cards and PAN cards.
This illegal identity reconstruction was intended to erase their criminal background and help them secure international travel documents.
Fake Municipal Records and Forged Identity Documents
Police investigations revealed that the birth certificates submitted by the accused were not consistent with official municipal records. This clearly indicated that the entire operation was pre-planned and involved deliberate forgery of government documents.
Using fake municipal birth certificates, the accused allegedly created supporting identity proofs like Aadhaar cards and PAN cards, making their passport applications appear legitimate.
Officials suspect that professional agents may have helped prepare these forged documents, either from Valsad or Surat. Police are now trying to identify whether any local agents, document handlers, or illegal passport facilitators were involved in the scam.
This angle of investigation is considered crucial, as it may reveal a larger organized network behind such passport fraud cases.
Police Register FIR Under BNS and Passport Act
Following the findings, Valsad City Police Station registered a formal FIR against both accused under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Passport Act.
Deputy Superintendent of Police A.K. Verma confirmed that the accused attempted to obtain passports using forged government documents and false personal records.
Police officials stated that strict legal action will be taken, as such fraud directly affects national security and immigration systems. The seriousness of the crime has also raised concerns about how many similar cases may have gone unnoticed in the past.
Investigation Expands Toward Agent Network
Authorities are now expanding the investigation to determine whether this was an isolated case or part of a larger passport fraud network. Police are examining whether agents from Valsad, Surat, or nearby areas were involved in creating fake municipal records and identity documents for criminal applicants.
They are also checking if other individuals with criminal records may have used similar methods to obtain passports successfully. If such a network exists, the case could become one of the most significant passport fraud investigations in South Gujarat this year.
Both Accused Sent to Jail as SOG Intensifies Probe
At present, both accused have been sent to jail, and the Valsad SOG has intensified its investigation. Officials believe that this case serves as a strong warning against the misuse of government identity systems and fraudulent attempts to bypass passport verification procedures.
The successful exposure of the fraud also highlights the importance of strict police verification and alert local law enforcement. As the investigation continues, police are expected to uncover more details about how fake identity networks operate and whether more arrests may follow in the coming days.
Also read, Valsad Taluka Panchayat Election Special 2026
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