Two individuals from Jalandhar have been allegedly defrauded of a staggering sum of Rs 20 lakh by travel agents who promised them lucrative employment opportunities in Italy and Canada. The Jalandhar Commissionerate Police have now stepped in, registering a case against the accused agents based on a formal complaint.
The Elusive Promise of Foreign Employment
The victims, identified as Gurpreet Singh of Basti Bawa Khel and Kamaljit Singh of Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar, approached a travel agency operating under the name RS Travels. The agency was run by a man named Ravi Sharma from New Jawahar Nagar. The agents painted a rosy picture of high-paying jobs abroad, convincing the two men to part with their hard-earned money for what turned out to be empty promises.
According to the police complaint, the accused travel agents took Rs 10 lakh from each victim, totaling Rs 20 lakh. The money was collected under the guise of processing fees, visa charges, and other administrative costs required to secure the overseas positions. However, after the payment was made, the promised jobs failed to materialize.
Vanishing Act and Police Action
When Gurpreet Singh and Kamaljit Singh followed up on their applications, they were met with delays and excuses. Eventually, the travel agents became unresponsive. Realizing they had been duped, the victims approached the authorities to seek justice.
The police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code pertaining to cheating and fraud. The investigation is being handled by the Cyber Crime Cell of the Jalandhar Commissionerate Police. Authorities are now working to trace the accused travel agents, Ravi Sharma and his associate, who are currently absconding.
A Cautionary Tale for Job Seekers
This incident highlights a growing trend of fraud where unscrupulous agents prey on the aspirations of individuals seeking better prospects abroad. The police have reiterated standard advisories for the public:
- Always verify the credentials and license of any travel or recruitment agency.
- Be extremely wary of agents demanding large upfront payments.
- Cross-check job offers directly with the purported overseas employer if possible.
- Report any suspicious offers or demands for money to the police immediately.
The case serves as a stark reminder for citizens to exercise due diligence before investing significant sums in promises of overseas employment. The Jalandhar police are continuing their investigation to apprehend the accused and hopefully recover the lost funds for the victims.
