NRI panel flags surge in visa and job fraud, urges caution
NRI Commission warns job-seekers against fake agencies and unauthorised legal advisors after receiving 268 complaints this year.
The NRI Commission has issued a fresh advisory cautioning prospective emigrant workers against a rising tide of visa and recruitment fraud. The warning comes as the panel disclosed that it has received 268 complaints so far this year, with nearly 75 of these cases being taken up for consideration during a recent adalat (grievance redressal camp).
Chairperson of the Commission has urged job-seekers to deal only with recruitment agencies that are officially recognised by NORKA, the state government body that oversees the welfare of non-resident Keralites. The emphasis on verified agencies is aimed at shielding aspirants from unscrupulous middlemen who promise overseas employment but deliver nothing.
The Commission also cautioned the public against approaching unauthorised legal advisory institutions that claim to offer assistance in visa processing or dispute resolution. Such entities, it said, often operate outside regulatory oversight and may compound the financial and legal troubles of those already vulnerable to exploitation.
Officials advise anyone planning to work abroad to verify the credentials of any agency or advisor before parting with money or documents. The panel's latest figures underscore the persistent scale of the problem, even as awareness campaigns continue.