Launched in February 2025, the campaign is designed to protect individuals from the physical, financial, and emotional risks associated with visa fraud. In a statement issued on August 7, the British High Commission confirmed the outreach efforts will continue with active participation from community stakeholders in both states.
As part of the next phase, a new QR code was unveiled for a WhatsApp chatbot that provides users with UK government guidance in Punjabi. The chatbot is intended to help individuals identify common visa scam tactics and access official information about legal routes for travelling to the United Kingdom.
“The UK today unveiled a new QR code for its WhatsApp chatbot, making it easier to access advice in an accessible format, in Punjabi. The chatbot provides official UK guidance on identifying common visa scam tactics as well as official guidance for those seeking legal routes to travel to the UK,” the High Commission said in its statement.
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To support the initiative, the commission plans to develop and distribute information resources through local authorities and trusted partners. These materials will help strengthen a community-based network aimed at preventing visa-related fraud and guiding individuals towards legitimate travel options.
Daniel Sherry, Political Counsellor at the British High Commission, remarked, “We are pleased to be continuing our ‘Visa Fraud Ton Bacho’ campaign in Punjab, making it more accessible with the launch of our WhatsApp chatbot QR code.” He added, “Working with partners in Chandigarh and Punjab, and with the Government of India, we will continue to protect those vulnerable to visa fraud.”
Amandeep Grewal, Deputy Head of Mission in Chandigarh, echoed the sentiment and stated, “We are grateful to our stakeholders for their strong support in making ‘Visa Fraud Ton Bacho’ campaign a success.” She continued, “Our mission is clear — to protect innocent people from visa fraud. As we expand this campaign across Punjab and Haryana, we will continue raising awareness and promoting safe, legal travel to the UK.”
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The campaign has so far reached thousands through a combination of online awareness programmes, printed materials, and grassroots outreach. Posters and community engagement events were organised in and around cities like Amritsar, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, and Chandigarh, with efforts focused on educating people at the village level.
(Edited by : Jerome Anthony)
