CHENNAI: In a first, the Bureau of Immigration and the Chennai city police have jointly cracked down on illegal recruitment agents who lured job seekers with fake overseas offers. In an operation carried out on Wednesday, 15 special teams comprising 80 officers and personnel carried out searches in more than 10 places in the city and registered nine cases.
Mobile phones and laptops used by agents to solicit job seekers had been seized during the operation, said the Protector of Emigrants (PoE).”The illegal agents targeted individuals seeking employment in Eastern European countries and Canada. These agents charged them exorbitant fees — often amounting to several lakhs of rupees — on the pretext of visa processing and work permits,” said the PoE.
The joint operation was mooted after many candidates reported that they had been defrauded in different ways.
The PoE has advised overseas job seekers to engage only with licensed recruiting agents. It clarified that a valid licence from the external affairs ministry is required for an individual or agency to recruit Indian citizens for overseas employment.
“Engaging in such recruitment without a licence is a violation of the Emigration Act, 1983. Strict legal actions will be pursued against those involved. Aspiring overseas recruiting agents are encouraged to contact the PoE office in Chennai to apply for the necessary licence,” said the PoE.
Licensed agents are required to maintain a bank guarantee with govt, and their operations are closely monitored and regulated by PoE offices. These agents undergo stringent inspections and document verification before obtaining their licences, making them a reliable choice for overseas job placements.