BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION TAKES VISA FRAUD AWARENESS CAMPAIGN TO GRASSROOTS IN LUDHIANA

Face2News/Ludhiana/Chandigarh 

Taking the message against visa fraud to the grassroots, British Deputy High Commissioner Alba Smeriglio joined villagers and young people in Dakha, near Ludhiana, on Monday as part of the British High Commission’s ‘Visa Fraud Ton Bacho’ campaign.

Rajinder S Nagarkoti, Senior Adviser at the British High Commission, and Capt Sandeep Sandhu, General Secretary, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, also joined the interaction with villagers.

The session provided an opportunity for villagers to raise questions about UK visas, overseas education and employment, and share their real-life experiences with the British High Commission delegation. The interaction also helped highlight some of the common challenges faced by people considering opportunities overseas.

Ms Smeriglio and Mr Nagarkoti raised awareness about visa scams and promoted safe and legal mobility to the UK. They urged villagers and young people to rely on verified sources of information when planning overseas education or employment and to remain cautious of agents promising shortcuts.

The ‘Visa Fraud Ton Bacho’ campaign focuses on collaboration with educational institutions and local communities to spread awareness and ensure that aspiring travellers choose legal and secure pathways while avoiding fraud.

As part of the campaign, UK teams are conducting outreach engagements across Punjab and Haryana, highlighting the warning signs of visa scams. People are being advised to look out for common bogus claims, including guaranteed UK visas and guaranteed UK employment.

The campaign also encourages prospective travellers to verify information and stay vigilant through its dedicated WhatsApp chatbot: +91 70652 51380, which provides information and guidance on UK visa-related queries.