MEA Acknowledges Fraudulent Job Offers Targeting Youth in North India
Amid escalating concerns over young individuals from Punjab and adjacent states falling prey to deceitful travel agents, the Ministry of External Affairs has officially recognized instances where dubious entities have enticed Indian nationals with counterfeit overseas job opportunities. This acknowledgment came in response to a parliamentary inquiry by SAD MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal, highlighting the pervasive issue of fraudulent recruitment drives often propagated through social media platforms.
Complaint Data Reveals Regional Impact
According to data presented before the House, a total of 291 complaints were registered over the past three years against unauthorized or illegal recruiting agents in Punjab, Chandigarh, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh. The breakdown of complaints is as follows:
- Punjab: 154 complaints, including 56 in 2023, 18 in 2024, and 80 in 2025, accounting for nearly 53% of the total in the region.
- Chandigarh: 92 complaints, with 3 in 2023, 9 in 2024, and 80 in 2025.
- Haryana: 39 complaints, comprising 4 in 2023, 2 in 2024, and 33 in 2025.
- Himachal Pradesh: 6 complaints, including 4 in 2023, 0 in 2024, and 2 in 2025.
Action Taken and Prosecution Details
In terms of enforcement, Action Taken Reports were submitted or FIRs were registered by State or Union Territory police in several cases. The FIR data includes:
- Punjab: 0 FIRs in 2023, 38 in 2024, and 69 in 2025.
- Chandigarh: 0 in 2023 and 2024, and 37 in 2025.
- Haryana: 15 FIRs in 2025 and 0 in the preceding two years.
- Himachal Pradesh: 1 FIR each in 2023 and 2025.
Regarding prosecution, requests for sanction after investigation were received only in one case from Haryana in 2024, with corresponding sanction issued in the same year. No such requests or sanctions were reported from Punjab, Chandigarh, or Himachal Pradesh during the three-year period.
Ministry Insights on Fraudulent Activities
The ministry clarified that fraudulent activities by illegal recruitment agents typically surface when complaints are filed by affected emigrants or their associates. It noted that Indian nationals often proceed abroad voluntarily through such agents and illegal channels, with specific data on irregular migration attempts being unavailable. Most foreign governments do not share information on illegal stays except during deportation processes, which vary by country. Deportation may occur directly by the host government if the deportee holds valid Indian travel documents, with Indian Missions contacted only for nationality verification or Emergency Certificate issuance.
Legal Framework and Preventive Measures
Under Section 10 of the Emigration Act, 1983, no person or agency can operate as a Recruiting Agent without a valid Registration Certificate from the Protector General of Emigrants. Complaints related to illegal migration or human trafficking are referred to State police for investigation under laws like the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. To combat these scams, the ministry issues advisories through the eMigrate portal, social media, and other platforms, warning citizens about fake job rackets. As of January 2026, a list of 3,505 unregistered agents has been published on the eMigrate portal to alert prospective emigrants.
Awareness campaigns on safe and legal migration are conducted nationwide via workshops, training sessions, and digital outreach programs targeting media, police, law enforcement agencies, local administration, aspiring recruiting agents, and the general public. The Protector General of Emigrants, through 16 offices across India, regularly coordinates with State Governments and holds meetings with State-level Nodal Officers to address issues concerning illegal recruiting agencies and enforce emigration regulations.
