A businessman from the Ranip area of Ahmedabad has fallen victim to a Rs 3.10 crore scam involving a fake American EB-5 visa scheme. Sixty-one-year-old Yogesh Patel, a resident of Devmandir Society and BJP corporator from New Vadaj Ward, was lured into investing in an American company under the false promise of receiving an EB-5 visa and a share in company profits. However, neither the visa arrived, nor did he see any returns on his investment.
Patel filed a complaint with the Crime Branch, naming Vikram Vaghela and Mohit Shah as the accused. Vaghela, a resident of Bhagyoday Society in Ranip and Shah, who lives in Luv-Kush Apartments in Thaltej, claimed to have their own company in the United States. According to Patel, he met the two in 2014 when they convinced him to invest Rs 3.10 crore between June 2014 and January 2015, promising to secure his US visa through the EB-5 programme, which provides a pathway to American residency for investors.
Patel, who also serves as Deputy Chairman of the Estate-Town Planning Committee, explained that the meetings with the accused took place at the office of former BJP MLA Arvind Patel, who introduced him to Vaghela and Shah. They persuaded Patel to make the investment, assuring him that the visa process would begin. Despite numerous meetings, including around 10 at Arvind Patel’s office, the visa was never issued, and the funds were not returned.
When Yogesh Patel sought to recover his Rs 3.10 crore investment, the accused made excuses and avoided repayment. The businessman eventually approached the Economic Offences Wing of the Crime Branch, seeking justice for the fraudulent scheme.
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