Schengen Visa Scam in India: Family-Run Fraud at French Embassy Uncovered

In one of the most startling cases of diplomatic breach and public deception in recent memory, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has uncovered a sprawling Schengen visa scam in India, operated by an Indian employee at the French Embassy in New Delhi. The accused, along with his family and a network of agents, allegedly siphoned off crores of rupees by charging exorbitant amounts—up to ₹45 lakh per applicant—from desperate visa seekers, mostly hailing from Punjab.

The scam, which ran from January 2021 to May 2022, remained under the radar for months, concealed beneath layers of forged documentation, international money laundering, and deliberate destruction of embassy records. What eventually triggered the investigation was a credible tip-off that led the CBI to uncover the entire criminal operation.

Schengen Visa: A Scam Disguised as a Shortcut to Europe

A Schengen visa typically costs just ₹8,500 for short-term stays and ₹7,100 for long-term travel, according to the VFS Global website. However, the applicants caught in this web of deceit were coerced into paying as much as ₹45 lakh per visa in hopes of fast-tracked approvals and assured European entry.

The central figure in this Schengen visa scam in India was a local law officer in the Visa Department of the French Embassy, who exploited his position to facilitate fraudulent visa processing. Working alongside him were his father, brother, and wife, who played various roles in the operation, ranging from document handling to financial transactions and communication with visa agents.

CBI’s June 11, 2025, press release stated:

“The International Operations Division of CBI, on the basis of inputs of a visa fraud in the Embassy of France, New Delhi, registered a case. A network of visa agents, mostly based in Punjab, received money ranging from ₹13 lakh to ₹45 lakh from each visa applicant. In return, visa applications were processed by the accused, and after the issuance of Schengen visas, all related documents were destroyed.”

How Did the Visa Fraud Go Undetected?

The intricate nature of this fraud highlights deep vulnerabilities in embassy-level operations. By using middlemen and a web of bank accounts—both domestic and international—the accused laundered money while ensuring minimal traceability. According to the CBI, eight individuals were involved: the Embassy employee, his close family, two visa agents, and two middlemen.

The agency explained that:

“The accused targeted applicants from Punjab through a network of agents. Huge amounts of cash and property documents were recovered from multiple locations in Punjab and Delhi. Two visa agents played a pivotal role in laundering funds through layered financial channels.”

Schengen Visa: Real Estate Empire Built on Fraud

In a shocking revelation, it was found that the money amassed from the Schengen visa scam in India was used to acquire real estate worth crores, both within the country and overseas. This wealth, believed to be part of the scam’s proceeds, has now become the focus of a larger financial probe.

To trace the assets beyond Indian borders, the CBI achieved a milestone by securing India’s first-ever “Silver Notice” through Interpol. This rare international alert is typically used to locate, identify, and freeze criminal assets abroad.

“CBI, in coordination with international agencies, successfully traced proceeds of crime in foreign locations. We are committed to fighting transnational crime and securing justice for the victims duped by such criminal enterprises,” said a CBI official.

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