Delhi family fights fraud as Canada PR restaurant plan collapses
Delhi’s Ahuja family loses over Rs 1.8 crore in Canada residency scam via restaurant plan, police arrest accused and probe continues — read the full report
Ekta Mathew 
NEW DELHI, June 12, 2026 — A South Delhi couple claims they lost more than Rs 1.8 crore in what police allege was an immigration-linked scam that promised Canada permanent residency (PR) through buying a restaurant.
Richa and Prem Ahuja, residents of Malviya Nagar, said they engaged an immigration consultant in early 2021 after pandemic travel restrictions eased, hoping to secure a business-linked pathway to Canadian PR. Police allege the consultant and his associates persuaded the Ahujas to invest in a restaurant in Sudbury, Ontario, to strengthen their PR application but instead diverted the funds.
Couple’s losses mount in alleged scam
The couple said they paid about CAD 250,000 (about Rs 1.73 crore) to acquire the Canadian restaurant and roughly CAD 45,000 in service fees to the immigration firm. They were assured this business link would bolster their Canadian PR chances. Instead, they never received permanent residency or even the work visa they were promised.
Police filed an FIR after the Ahujas realised applications submitted to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) were repeatedly rejected. When investigators contacted Canadian authorities, they found the Ahuja names were not listed as directors or shareholders of the hospitality company despite claims made by the consultant.
Police action and investigation
Delhi Police’s Crime Branch arrested the main accused, identified as Dharmendra Sharma, in mid-May 2026 following a review of financial records and cross-verification with Canadian authorities. A lookout circular has been issued against another suspect, and the investigation continues.
Authorities allege funds meant for business use were withdrawn quickly from Canadian bank accounts and routed through multiple accounts, leaving no legitimate capital to run the enterprise.
Expert guidance on immigration vigilance
Canada’s official immigration portal warns applicants that legitimate processes do not involve third parties guaranteeing PR or asking for unverified funds, and fraudulent offers should be reported to authorities.
Immigration fraud remains a concern for aspirants worldwide, with recent advisories urging applicants to verify consultants’ credentials and adhere strictly to official channels.
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