Many individuals across the country aspire to secure jobs abroad, seeking better opportunities and improved salaries. However, in contemporary times, numerous cases of recruitment fraud have emerged, shedding light on the risks associated with pursuing employment overseas.
In such instances, fraudsters target individuals seeking jobs abroad, often demanding significant sums of money in exchange for various promises. Regrettably, individuals may find themselves in life-threatening predicaments as a result.
A recent incident has brought attention to such exploitation, wherein several dozen Indians were enticed with promises of lucrative employment in Russia. Upon arrival, however, they were coerced into joining the Russian army and deployed to the Ukraine border to engage in combat.
A video featuring an ex-serviceman from Kalingpong, Darjeeling, has circulated widely on social media platforms. The former soldiers revealed that they were initially promised positions as security guards in Russia but were ultimately conscripted into the army.
In light of similar fraudulent activities, the Ministry of External Affairs issued an advisory in December 2023, warning against the rising instances of exploitation by unregistered recruitment agents.
The advisory outlined preventive measures to avoid falling victim to fake job offers. Here are some key recommendations provided by the ministry:
Agent’s Registration Number: Prospective job seekers are advised to verify the registration number of any agent contacting them regarding overseas employment. This can be done through the Indian government website at emigrate.gov.in. Authentic agents will have their registration numbers listed on the website.
Money Demands: Under the Immigration Act of 1983, agents are permitted to request a maximum of Rs 30,000 from applicants. Any demands for money beyond this limit, particularly under the guise of registration fees, should raise suspicion of fraudulent activity.
Offer Letter Verification: Upon successful recruitment by a foreign company, individuals should carefully scrutinise the offer letter. As per the Ministry of External Affairs’ advisory, the offer letter should include an employment contract detailing salary and other pertinent information, along with the terms and conditions of employment.
By adhering to these precautionary measures, individuals can mitigate the risk of falling prey to fraudulent recruitment schemes and safeguard their interests when pursuing opportunities abroad.
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