The air in Kothamangalam was thick with the usual small-town murmurs: shopkeepers haggling, children running through narrow lanes, and the occasional honk of a passing auto-rickshaw. But beneath this everyday hum, whispers of a scam had begun to spread.
“You know Thomas, sir, the college lecturer?” Ramesh, a local businessman, leaned in over his cup of chai. “They say he and his partner scammed people out of lakhs.”
His friend, Shaji, frowned. “Thomas? The one who helped people get Australian visas?”
“That’s the one. Turns out, he was selling nothing but false promises.”
The Visa Trap
For years, Thomas N. Isaac and Pradeep Kumar played the role of educated, well-connected men. They presented themselves as pillars of trust in their communities.
Thomas, a 51-year-old lecturer, and Pradeep, a 42-year-old physical education teacher, had the perfect cover.
They weren’t faceless fraudsters hiding behind a corporate shell; they were respected professionals.
But their scam came to light when Vishnu, a young IT aspirant, approached them to apply for an Australia Visa.
“Sir, I want to go to Australia,” Vishnu, a young IT aspirant, told Thomas. “I’ve got the skills, but the visa process is so complicated.”
“Don’t worry, Vishnu,” Thomas had said with a reassuring smile.
“We have contacts inside the system. Everything will be smooth. Just pay the processing fee, and we’ll handle the rest.”
That “processing fee” wasn’t a small sum. It ranged from a few lakhs to upwards of ₹10 lakh per person, depending on how desperate they were.
And desperation was abundant.
People took out loans, mortgaged gold, and drained their savings, believing they were investing in a future abroad.
One by one, their dreams were bought with false hope.
When Promises Start to Break
At first, it seemed legit. Visa applications were “submitted,” paperwork was processed, and hopeful applicants were told to “just wait a little longer.”
But weeks turned into months.
Whenever someone called Thomas, he had a new excuse.
“There’s a small delay due to embassy procedures.”
“Your file is under special review.”
“It’s almost done, just a few more weeks.”
Vishnu, like many others, waited patiently. But after months of delays and no concrete proof of progress, suspicion crept in.
That’s when he met Arun, another hopeful applicant.
“You applied through Thomas, too?” Arun asked.
“Yes,” Vishnu replied. “It’s been months, and I still haven’t received anything.”
Arun’s face darkened. “I gave him ₹8 lakh. Every time I ask, he says just a little more time. Something isn’t right.”
Their conversation led to a shocking realization: there were more victims, all with the same story.
Exposed: The End of the Fraud
Arun decided to confront Thomas at his college.
“Sir, I need my money back. You promised me a visa.”
Thomas, always the smooth talker, tried to dismiss him. “Just a little more time, Arun. These things take—”
“No more time!” Arun’s voice rose. “I’ve spoken to others. You’ve taken money from at least ten people! Where is it?”
News of the fraud spread fast. More victims came forward. Police launched an investigation and found that Thomas and Pradeep had been running similar scams in other towns.
By the time authorities arrested them, the duo had swindled over ₹1 crore.
Now, as Thomas and Pradeep await trial, their victims are left struggling to recover.
Some may never get their money back. Others, still clinging to hope, wonder how they could have been so blind.
Lessons to Learn
Visa scams aren’t new, and they won’t disappear overnight. But cases like this serve as a harsh reminder:
- No one can guarantee a visa: If someone claims they have “inside connections,” run.
- Always verify credentials: Just because someone is a lecturer or a professional doesn’t mean they’re trustworthy.
- Report the Fraud: If you find something suspicious, act quickly. Register with us, and our team will assist you in filing a complaint using the right protocol.
Remember, the quicker you act, the higher the chances of getting recovery of losses.
