Police say immigration firm allegedly collected lakhs from job seekers by promising employment in Europe and other countries
A Dubai-based Indian businesswoman has been arrested in Kerala in connection with an alleged overseas employment fraud involving job seekers who were promised work in countries including Poland and Armenia.
Parvathy Maya Shaji, managing director of Amster Overseas Pvt Ltd, was detained at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on September 24 after arriving from Dubai. A lookout notice had been issued against her by Palarivattom Police in Kochi.
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Police said the case followed complaints from applicants who alleged that money had been collected after they were offered overseas jobs
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In one case, a complainant alleged that Rs 4.96 lakh was paid in instalments for a warehouse job in Poland. Another complaint involved an alleged payment of Rs 4 lakh for a job in Armenia carrying a promised monthly salary of Rs 1.5 lakh
Investigators have also alleged that the company and its associated establishments did not hold the required licence for overseas recruitment. Police said the alleged activities had been promoted through social media, with applicants reportedly being offered jobs in several countries.
Following Shaji’s arrest, additional complaints have emerged. Police are examining allegations involving payments made through overseas accounts and have indicated that a report concerning suspected cross-border financial transactions could be sent to the Enforcement Directorate.
Shaji was initially arrested in connection with two cases and was subsequently remanded in judicial custody. Police have registered another case following a complaint from a man who alleged that Rs 1.48 lakh was taken after he was promised a warehouse job in Poland.
Her husband, Aneesh Menon, and several employees have also been named as accused in cases linked to the firm. Police said some of those accused are believed to be outside India and steps are being considered to trace them.
