Fraudulent travel agencies and unlicensed repatriation brokers have seen a rise in India in recent times, with many unlicensed agents promising to send people abroad. Despite several arrests, the number of such fraudulent agents and companies is still high. These unscrupulous agencies are deceiving travellers through illegal holiday packages, registration fraud, and false promises. Associating with such agents not only leads to financial losses, but also puts the safety of travellers at risk.
Illegal immigration occurs when a person leaves his or her country and moves to another country in violation of immigration laws. It is a serious issue, and often, young, unemployed individuals fall into the trap of illegal immigration schemes, deceived by fraudulent visa and job offers. These agents often lure people by promising jobs in other countries, but in reality, the person does not have any valid job or visa.
State governments and law enforcement agencies constantly warn people to travel abroad only through authorized and government-approved travel agencies. Many fraudulent agents, who are not registered with any authority, cheat people by promoting lucrative offers through social media and other platforms. As a result, people lose their savings, property, jewelry or other valuable assets.
One of the recent scams involves the “donkey route”, where agents promise to send individuals to another country on false pretexts. However, these individuals are often detained at the border and sent back to India. In some cases, victims are forced to pay extra money or may be given fake tickets and visas, due to which they are denied air travel.
In addition, fraudulent travel agencies often create fake websites to deceive customers. For example, one agency claimed to be established in 2020 and introduced itself as the “world’s largest travel company”, but there were no details about its owners or contact information. These are warning signs that the agency may be fake, and such agencies should be avoided.
The Ministry of Tourism has taken steps to address this issue by linking travel agencies with government approval. Agencies approved by the Ministry of Tourism are considered safe.
If a person falls prey to such fraud, he should immediately report it to his local police station or helpline. People should be vigilant and avoid agents who cheat them with offers of foreign travel without proper verification. Before planning a foreign trip, it is necessary to contact travel agencies approved by the respective governments and give priority to safety.
The Overseas Workers Resource Centre, set up by the Ministry of External Affairs, provides necessary guidance and support to individuals wishing to travel abroad.
