Important note: This report summarises publicly available information about an active investigation. All allegations are reported charges and remain unproven in court. The accused have denied the charges. This article reflects reporting as of mid-September 2026 and is not a determination of guilt.

Popular UK-based Telugu YouTuber Rama Nandana (also referred to as A. Rama Nandana, known as “Nandu” of the channel Nandu's World), her husband Jagarlamudi Madhukar, and Madhukar's father Mohan Rao reportedly face serious allegations of a multi-crore UK visa, job and Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) fraud. The case has drawn widespread attention among Telugu and NRI communities.

Who Is Nandu and the Channel's Rise

  • Rama Nandana and her husband, reportedly originally from Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, settled in the UK.
  • They launched the YouTube channel Nandu's World in June 2020 with casual family comedy and lifestyle videos (featuring the “CRAZY Family” cast including Nandu, Madhu, Bannu and Bittu).
  • The channel grew rapidly: approximately 2.85 million subscribers, over 2.7 billion lifetime views, and 600+ videos. One video alone reportedly crossed 21 million views.
  • Content focused on everyday family life, which resonated strongly with Telugu audiences in India and the diaspora. Nandana also reportedly appeared in a small role in a Chiranjeevi film.

The Allegations (as Reported by Complainants and Police)

Police and complainants reportedly allege that Nandana and Madhukar, through a firm called Destiny Consultancy (with purported offices in Vijayawada, Guntur, Hyderabad and links to London), promised:

  • UK jobs
  • Visa extensions/renewals
  • Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) — a critical document for UK Skilled Worker visas

Victims (often unemployed people or those already in the UK seeking extensions) reportedly paid ₹15-20 lakh each. Total amounts claimed in reports range from several crores up to around ₹15 crore across multiple complainants.

Key complaint (Ibrahimpatnam Police Station, NTR district, Andhra Pradesh)

  • Complainant Mamillapalli Sivakranthi Kumar (UK resident, reportedly originally from the area) alleged he transferred approximately ₹15 lakh in instalments in 2023 to bank accounts linked to Destiny Consultancy.
  • Purpose: UK visa extension, employment help and a CoS (including for his wife in some versions of the complaint).
  • He reportedly claims the CoS provided was fraudulent, services were not delivered and only ₹2 lakh was refunded despite repeated demands.

Multiple other complaints reportedly followed similar patterns. Police named Madhukar as the primary accused (A1), Nandana as A2, and Mohan Rao as A3 under cheating and related sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita / IPC (as applicable). The couple has publicly denied owning or operating the consultancy and has approached the High Court seeking to quash the FIR. Nandana has publicly rejected the accusations, reportedly attributing some criticism to “haters.”

Advertisement

Timeline of Key Developments

DateDevelopment
November 2025FIR reportedly registered at Ibrahimpatnam police station based on Kumar's complaint.
June 2026Allegations and case details became public; social media and Telugu media extensively covered the controversy.
7 September 2026Nandana (returning from the UK) was reportedly detained at Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Airport after a Lookout Circular (LOC) issued by Andhra Pradesh Police. Airport/immigration authorities reportedly stopped her; she was handed over to Ibrahimpatnam police.
Mid-September 2026She was reportedly questioned in sessions of approximately three hours. She reportedly told police she would return to London if the LOC was lifted. Investigation into the scale of complaints, money trails and consultancy operations continues.

As of the latest available reports (around 16-17 September 2026), the investigation remains active. Nandana has reportedly denied wrongdoing. No conviction has been reported.

What NRIs Need to Learn — Critical Takeaways

Regardless of how this specific case is ultimately adjudicated, the pattern of alleged fraud highlights recurring risks that Indians (especially from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana) face when pursuing UK opportunities.

1. Never Trust Social Media Fame or Personal Connections Alone

Popular YouTubers, Instagram influencers or “successful” NRIs are not automatically legitimate immigration consultants. Verify everything independently. Public visibility on social platforms does not equate to regulatory authorisation.

2. UK Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) Are Tightly Regulated

Only licensed UK sponsors (employers with a valid sponsor licence from the UK Home Office) can issue genuine CoS. Fake or unauthorised CoS documents are common in scams and can lead to:

  • Visa refusals
  • Visa cancellations
  • 10-year re-entry bans on grounds of deception (paragraph 9.8 of the Immigration Rules)
  • Criminal proceedings in both the UK and India

3. Use Only Authorised Channels

  • Check the UK Home Office Register of Licensed Sponsors on gov.uk before accepting any CoS.
  • Use OISC-regulated (Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner) advisers in the UK or SRA-regulated (Solicitors Regulation Authority) immigration solicitors.
  • Avoid large upfront cash payments (especially ₹10-20 lakh) demanded by informal consultancies operating mainly via WhatsApp, social media or small local offices.

4. Red Flags in Job / Visa Offers

  • Guarantees of jobs + visas for a fixed high fee
  • Pressure to pay quickly or in instalments to personal accounts or lightly-registered consultancy accounts
  • Reluctance to provide written contracts, company details or verifiable employer information
  • “Sponsor licence being processed” excuses for the missing employer verification
  • Partial refunds or threats when victims demand money back
  • Requests for cash-in-hand payments or transfers to personal accounts of consultancy operators

5. Document Everything and Report Promptly

  • Keep bank transfer records, WhatsApp chats, emails and any documents received
  • File police complaints early — both in India (local police + Cyber Crime cell) and, if applicable, with UK authorities (Action Fraud UK)
  • Lookout Circulars (LOCs) and FIRs can be issued even if the accused are abroad
  • Reporting builds the pattern needed for federal enforcement action

6. Broader NRI Caution

Similar visa/job scams targeting Telugu, Punjabi, Gujarati and other Indian communities have appeared repeatedly across UK, USA, Canada, Australia and Gulf markets. “Success stories” on YouTube or Instagram can be used to build trust before soliciting payments. Always cross-check with official sources (UK Visas and Immigration, licensed advisers) rather than influencers.

Legitimate UK Work Visa Routes (2026)

NRIs seeking legitimate UK employment should pursue:

  • Skilled Worker visa (main employer-sponsored route; requires job offer from licensed sponsor above the current salary threshold)
  • Global Talent visa (for exceptional talent endorsed by an approved body)
  • Health and Care Worker visa (specific eligible healthcare occupations)
  • Graduate visa (2-year post-study work for UK degree holders)
  • High Potential Individual visa (recent graduates from qualifying international universities)

Each has specific eligibility criteria published on gov.uk. Legitimate routes require genuine job offers from licensed sponsors, proper documentation and compliance with Home Office rules.

How to Verify a UK Job Offer or Consultancy

  1. Look up the employer on the UK Home Office Register of Licensed Sponsors.
  2. Check the OISC register for immigration advisers at gov.uk/find-an-immigration-adviser.
  3. Verify company registration at Companies House UK for any UK business claims.
  4. Ask for the sponsor licence number and cross-check on Home Office records.
  5. Never pay for a job offer. Legitimate UK employers do not charge candidates for offers.
  6. Prefer bank transfers to registered UK company accounts over personal or informal accounts.
  7. Consult a qualified UK immigration solicitor before accepting any CoS or paying significant fees.

What to Do if You Are a Victim

  1. Preserve evidence: bank transfer records, WhatsApp chats, emails, contracts, photos of any documents received.
  2. File a police complaint (FIR) in India at your local police station AND with the state Cyber Crime cell.
  3. File a report with Action Fraud UK (actionfraud.police.uk) if the transactions involved UK entities or accounts.
  4. Report to the Home Office if a UK sponsor licence appears to be misused.
  5. Notify your bank immediately to attempt recall of recent transactions.
  6. Consult a qualified attorney in both India and the UK for parallel legal action.
  7. Contact community associations (Telugu Association of UK, similar community bodies) — other victims often surface through community outreach.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)?

A Certificate of Sponsorship is an electronic document issued by a UK employer with a valid sponsor licence, providing details of the sponsored role. It is required for most UK Skilled Worker visas. Fake or unauthorised CoS documents are illegal and can result in visa refusals, cancellations and multi-year re-entry bans on grounds of deception.

Can I check if a UK employer has a valid sponsor licence?

Yes. The UK Home Office publishes the Register of Licensed Sponsors on gov.uk. Every legitimate CoS-issuing employer appears on this list.

Who is a qualified UK immigration adviser?

UK immigration advice must be provided by an OISC-regulated adviser (Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner) or a solicitor regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) or equivalent. Advisers who are not regulated may be committing a criminal offence.

Advertisement

What happens if my CoS turns out to be fake?

Your visa application will be refused. If you already have a visa issued on the basis of a fake CoS, it may be cancelled. You may face a re-entry ban and, in serious cases, criminal proceedings.

Have similar fraud cases happened before?

Yes. UK visa and CoS fraud cases targeting Indian communities have been reported multiple times in recent years, across Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala, Punjab and Gujarat. Enforcement patterns vary.

Is this specific case proven?

No. As of mid-September 2026, allegations are reported and the accused deny them. There is no conviction. The investigation is ongoing.

Bottom Line for NRIs and Aspirants

Legitimate UK work routes exist (Skilled Worker visa, Global Talent, Graduate visa, HPI, Health and Care Worker), but they require:

  • A genuine job offer from a licensed sponsor
  • Proper documentation
  • Compliance with UK Home Office rules
  • Where needed, guidance from OISC-regulated advisers or SRA-regulated immigration solicitors

Paying large sums to intermediaries promising shortcuts frequently ends in loss of money and legal complications for the applicant — often including visa bans that are far harder to reverse than the initial payment loss. When in doubt, consult qualified professionals and official government resources.

Sources: This summary is based on reporting from multiple Indian and international outlets including Gulf News, Times of India, The News Minute, Asianet Newsable and The Week. The case is ongoing; allegations remain unproven in court, and the accused deny the charges. Always refer to official police or court updates for the latest status.

Disclaimer: This article covers an active investigation. All allegations are reported charges based on complaints and police statements; they have not been proven in court. The named accused deny the charges and have reportedly moved the High Court seeking to quash the FIR. Nothing in this article should be construed as a determination of guilt. NRI Globe provides journalism and general information only, not legal or immigration advice. Individuals affected by UK visa or CoS issues should consult a qualified UK immigration solicitor or OISC-regulated adviser.

Fresh from NRI Globe