Schengen Visa Files of 64 People With High Risk of Migration ‘Evaporate’ From French Embassy in India
It is believed that the former embassy officials cleared the files of suspicious candidates and made a total of €36,364 by charging almost €600 per visa, AtoZSerwisPlus.com reports.
The Hindu explains that the two former embassy officials handled a total of 484 Schengen visa files from the beginning of this year until early May. Of these Schengen visa files, 64 of them belonged to individuals who have never travelled before to the area and who did not hold the right documentation for them to be granted a visa.
Since these people were prone to reach the European Union and stay in the bloc illegally, it is believed that the former embassy officials destroyed the document so no one can find out about the illegal activities they had been carrying out.
Following reports of the missing 64 Schengen visa files, the relevant authorities conducted searches in several cities, such as Delhi, Gurdaspur, Patiala, and Jammu, where they seized mobile phones, laptops, and passports.
The Hindu further explains that taking into account such events, the agency has concluded that the two former embassy workers committed visa fraud.
In addition, the same source stressed that three other individuals have been accused of submitting forged documents and letters, which were written by a private company that is based in Bengaluru.
“Applicants from Punjab and Jammu submitted fake and forged letters purportedly written by a private company based at Bengaluru to the Consulate General of France, Bengaluru, for issuing entry visas for their joining private companies in Port-Le-Havre, France,” the Central Bureau of Investigation stated.
Since India has not reached a visa liberalisation agreement with the member states of the Schengen Area, its citizens continue to be required to obtain a Schengen visa in order to be permitted entry into the bloc.
Indians wishing to reach the EU for travel purposes need to apply for a visitor visa and when applying for it they are required to submit several documents. Nationals of India applying for a Schengen visa must submit the application form, their passport, and two identity pictures.
