The Punjab Director General of Police (DGP), Gaurav Yadav, has ordered an inquiry into allegations of a multi-crore overseas education fraud affecting students from Punjab. This action follows complaints from the Study Abroad Consultants Association (SACA), which reported that over 50 students were denied study visas to France after discovering that the private college in Lyon they were admitted to was defunct. Families reportedly paid between ₹8 lakh and ₹10 lakh (approximately $9,600 to $12,000 USD) per student, often using education loans or life savings, based on false promises of legitimate academic programs and campus infrastructure. The fraud came to light when visa applications were rejected, leading to verification that the college was non-operational. SACA's president, Mitesh Malhotra, stated that many parents received post-dated cheques for refunds that were dishonored, leaving them without recourse. The association is urging Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the DGP to take immediate action to prevent further fraud and protect aspiring students' futures.