Justice Sophie Thomas urges people to use licensed recruitment agencies amid complaints involving visas, overseas jobs and financial fraud
PRAVASISAMWAD.COM
KOCHI: Kerala NRI Commission chairperson Justice Sophie Thomas has urged people to exercise caution when seeking employment abroad, warning against fraudulent recruitment offers and visa-related scams targeting aspiring overseas workers.
The advice comes amid complaints concerning overseas employment, recruitment and financial fraud. The commission has received more than 75 complaints at an adalat, or public grievance hearing, relating to such issues, according to a report by NRI Focus.
Justice Thomas called on jobseekers to consider overseas employment opportunities only through licensed recruitment agencies. The warning highlights the need for applicants to establish the authenticity of recruitment offers before committing money or personal documents to intermediaries.
Fraudulent overseas recruitment schemes can leave applicants facing financial losses and uncertainty over their employment prospects. Reports of scams involving promises of jobs abroad have previously prompted warnings from Kerala’s Non-Resident Keralites Affairs (NoRKA) department.
In October 2024, NoRKA cautioned jobseekers against agents offering overseas employment on visitor visas. It advised applicants to verify recruitment agencies through the government’s e-Migrate portal and report suspected fraud.
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The latest warning from the NRI Commission reinforces the importance of checking recruitment arrangements through authorised channels
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Applicants should establish whether an agency is licensed and whether the proposed employment and visa arrangements are genuine before proceeding
The advisory is particularly relevant to people seeking overseas work through intermediaries who promise quick placements or attractive employment opportunities. Verifying the legitimacy of the offer can help applicants avoid falling victim to recruitment-related financial fraud.
The commission’s intervention comes as overseas employment remains an important source of livelihood for many families in Kerala. The warning seeks to encourage greater caution among those planning to travel abroad for work and to reduce the risks associated with fraudulent recruitment practices.
