UK expands ‘Visa Fraud Ton Bacho’ campaign in Punjab and Haryana to combat immigration scams
PTC Web Desk: The UK government is stepping up its efforts to combat visa scams targeting Indian nationals through its widely appreciated awareness initiative, ‘Visa Fraud Ton Bacho’, now expanding from Punjab into Haryana. Launched earlier this year, the campaign has already helped prevent exploitation, financial loss, and emotional distress for many residents in northern India.
In a significant move to make visa-related guidance more accessible, the British High Commission (BHC) has introduced a WhatsApp chatbot with a scannable QR code, available in both Punjabi and English. The tool offers official information on identifying common visa fraud tactics and advises on secure and legal migration routes to the UK.
The campaign has seen widespread engagement across Amritsar, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, and Chandigarh, employing social media outreach, posters, and grassroots-level programmes involving village elders and women to spread awareness. The initiative aims to build a strong local network of partners to collectively address the issue of visa fraud.
Daniel Sherry, political counsellor at the British High Commission, said, “We are pleased to continue our Visa Fraud Ton Bacho campaign in Punjab, especially with the launch of the WhatsApp chatbot QR code. Working alongside our partners in Chandigarh and Punjab and in collaboration with the Indian Government, we are committed to protecting individuals vulnerable to visa fraud.”
Amandeep Grewal, deputy head of mission, Chandigarh, said, “Thanks to the strong support from our stakeholders, this campaign is making a real difference. As we expand across Punjab and Haryana, we’ll continue to promote safe, legal travel to the UK.”
To further connect with the local community, the British High Commission has organised two public exhibitions to raise awareness, at Elante Mall, Chandigarh, on August 6 and Sector 17 Underpass, Chandigarh on August 7. The exhibitions will showcase the dangers of irregular migration and provide guidance on avoiding visa-related scams.
The WhatsApp chatbot is available at 91 70652 51380 for anyone seeking verified information on UK visas.
- PTC NEWS
