Fake Schengen Dreams: Nepali Man Caught with Forged Visa Attempting to Enter Greece

In a striking example of how growing desperation and misinformation fuel illegal migration attempts, Indian immigration authorities arrested a 26-year-old Nepali man for attempting to travel to Greece on a fake Schengen visa. The incident sheds light on a rising trend: economically vulnerable individuals entrusting their futures—and large sums of money—to fraudulent agents offering a false promise of life in Europe.

The Incident: From Nepal to Mumbai to a Greek Mirage

Risman Chaudhary, a 26-year-old from Nepal, arrived at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on May 13, with an itinerary to fly first to Doha and then on to Greece. According to Sahar police, his ultimate goal was to settle somewhere within the European Union.

However, this plan unraveled when immigration officials at Mumbai airport flagged inconsistencies in his documents. The visa affixed to his passport appeared suspicious—its paper quality was poor, and the usual EU security features were missing. On further investigation using UV light and security verification tools, officers concluded that the visa was indeed a counterfeit.

Authorities contacted the Greek consulate, which confirmed they had not issued the visa in question. Chaudhary was arrested on the spot and charged under India’s Passport Act and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the country's revised criminal code.

The Modus Operandi: Agents and Exploitation

Police reports indicate that Chaudhary was lured by a Nepali-based agent who offered to "arrange" a Schengen visa for a fee. These informal networks, often operating in developing countries with weak oversight, have been thriving in recent years—targeting young, unemployed citizens seeking opportunities abroad.

According to statements made during the investigation, Chaudhary was aware the route was irregular but had placed his trust in the agent’s assurance that the documents would work. The incident is just one of many in a growing trend that immigration authorities say is reaching concerning levels.

Fake Documents: A Rising Tide Among Labour Migrants

In the same week, Sahar police filed 14 FIRs (First Information Reports) against 18 individuals attempting to travel to the Middle East using fake passports or visas. Most of them, officials said, were from poor labor-class backgrounds and were seeking work in the Gulf region.

“Desperation and lack of opportunity drive many to pay agents who exploit their ignorance,” said an immigration officer familiar with the case. “But this also creates a serious security loophole and human rights concern.”

The wave of fake documentation is not limited to South Asia. Earlier this year, Italian police exposed a visa scam where two suspects conned a victim out of €16,000 in exchange for a bogus Schengen visa.

Legal & Geopolitical Implications

The growing incidence of fake visa scams has prompted European authorities to increase scrutiny on documents originating from certain regions. Experts say that this trend reflects both a tightening of legal migration channels and a growing demand for low-skilled labor in wealthier countries.

“The imbalance between opportunity and accessibility is at the root of these scams,” said Anurag Rao, a migration policy analyst. “Until there's a safer and legal route for economic migration, we will continue to see people taking desperate measures.”

Conclusion: The Human Cost of a Forged Visa

Risman Chaudhary’s story is one among many—but it encapsulates a broader crisis. Caught between the dream of a better life and the hard borders of reality, would-be migrants often gamble everything on forged papers, only to face arrest, criminal charges, and deportation.

The price they pay is not only financial—it’s psychological and societal. And as migration laws across Europe become more restrictive, the demand for backdoor solutions may only grow, despite the legal and personal risks involved.