Consultancy delaying refund of ₹1 lakh – please suggest what to do (Hyderabad urgent help needed)

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Hi everyone, Im 23 M from Nizamabad, currently struggling with a consultancy based in Hyderabad regarding a Europe work permit process.

I paid them a total of ₹1,00,000 with full trust (₹25,000 + ₹40,000 + ₹35,000) for a Czech Republic work permit. They promised me job offer letter by end of November and said the process would take 2–2.5 months maximum. But from the past 3 months, they did not give me any proper update or timeline. Every time I asked for an update, they only said:

“Wait sir, process is ongoing”

“Be patient”

“We will update soon”

But no progress, no offer letter, nothing.

Last week I requested refund, because there was zero transparency. Then suddenly they started blaming me about experience certificate issue, even though in the agreement they themselves mentioned that I am a fresher. If my experience was fake, why didn’t they tell this 2–3 months ago? Why after asking for refund?

Now they are saying:

“Refund will be arranged only if you come to the office and sign physically.” “We can’t accept WhatsApp or email confirmation.”

I live 180 km away from Hyderabad and they are refusing to give written confirmation that the visit is for refund. They are just repeating the same line: “Come to office, we will explain and take signature.”

I am scared this might be a trap to make me sign something like:

no refund / service completed

withdraw without refund

change program instead of refund

I have all the proof:

Payment receipts

WhatsApp chats

Emails asking for transparency

Their message agreeing refund but forcing travel

Agreement sent by them

Now I need suggestions from this community:

What should I do next?

1. Should I file a consumer court complaint immediately on December 2nd?

2. Should I go to the office physically only if they give written confirmation?

3. Can they legally force physical signature when digital signature is valid everywhere?

4. Is there any way to recover refund fast?

Please help me with the right direction. This ₹1 lakh is very important for my family situation and future plans. I am mentally exhausted and frustrated right now.

Any legal help, guidance or similar experience stories would mean a lot 🙏 I don’t want anyone else to fall into the same trap.

Thank you.