Jalandhar, 25 June — Brijesh Mishra, the alleged mastermind behind a massive fake offer letter scam that defrauded hundreds of Indian students aspiring to study in Canada, has been arrested by Jalandhar Commissionerate Police. Mishra was taken into custody at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport shortly after he returned to India on June 24.
“He was apprehended at the airport due to a Lookout Circular (LOC) issued against him,” said Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP) Harinder Gill. “We produced him in court today and secured seven days of police custody.”
Mishra, who ran the Jalandhar-based consultancy Education and Migration Services, is accused of issuing forged college admission letters between 2016 and 2020 to more than 200 students. Many of the victims discovered the fraud only after arriving in Canada, where they were either denied entry or deported when their documents were flagged by immigration authorities.
During interrogation, Mishra reportedly confessed to spending nearly 18 months in Canadian police custody on charges related to immigration fraud and misrepresentation. After serving his sentence, he lived briefly in Surrey, British Columbia, before returning to India.
“He has admitted his role and also revealed that he had been jailed in Canada. We are questioning him further, and more arrests are expected,” Gill said.
The scam came to light in 2023, sparking outrage across India and Canada as dozens of students were informed that their admission documents were fake. Several protests were held in both countries, with students demanding justice and protection from deportation.
Nine FIRs have been registered against Mishra for cheating, forgery, and criminal conspiracy. Investigators believe there may be more victims and have urged them to come forward.
“We request anyone who has dealt with Mishra or his consultancy and suspects fraud to approach the police. Their statements will help strengthen the case,” said a police official.
