Fraud alert: Govt warns of work abroad scams, shares tips to identify fake job offers

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overseas job seekers being cheated by unregistered recruitment agents by fake job offers and also overcharging to the tune of ₹2-5 lakh". The ministry mentioned that "many illegal agents operate through Facebook, Whatsapp, text message and other such mediums". It said, "These agencies provide little or no details of their whereabouts and contacts." "They usually communicate only through Whatsapp, making it difficult to ascertain the location and identity of the caller and genuineness of the job offer.

Such agents also lure workers to work in difficult and life threatening conditions," the ministry added. It said that such cases of fake job offers are being reported for recruitment to work in several East European Countries, some of the Gulf countries, Central Asian countries, Israel, Canada, Myanmar and Lao People’s Democratic Republic. The external affairs ministry said that a valid job offer comes along with Employment Contract duly signed by Foreign Employer, recruitment Agent and the emigrant worker.

"The Employment Contract must mention term and conditions of the job being offered and the salary and other emoluments," it added. The ministry further added that valid job offers must allow the worker to emigrate on strength of Employment or Work visa or other similar visa except tourist visa. "It may be noted that tourist visa should only be used for the purpose of tourism.

Normally, reputed Foreign Employers provide for cost of airfare, boarding & lodging and insurance cover," the ministry said. As per the advisory, emigrant workers should make themselves aware of local conditions of the destination country. The information may be obtained by attending Pre-Departure Orientation Training (PDOT) Centers or from the