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Indian recruiting agent held over job visa ‘scam’

DUBAI — The Indian consulate in Dubai forwarded an official complaint to the Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department (DNRD) yesterday urging the authorities to initiate stringent action against Rajan, a Dubai-based recruiting agent, who allegedly swindled about 20 Indian workers.

Rajan was handed over to the police three days ago after the victims locked him up in his accommodation in Deira demanding the repayment of the money they had paid him earlier for securing employment visas.

According to K. Asokan, labour consul at the Indian Consulate Dubai, an official complaint from the Indian Consulate was submitted to DNRD officials yesterday for further action against the unscrupulous agent. "They assured us all the necessary assistance. They also told us that they will check with the police whether any case had been registered against the accused. If not, DNRD will initiate a case against the agent," he said.

The DNRD's Assistant Director, Col. Rashid Bakheet, told the Khaleej Times, "we have received the complaint from the

Indian Consulate officials and we are investigating the matter. However, since Rajan had allegedly taken the money from his victims in India, legal action needs to be initiated against the recruiting agents in India. But as far as DNRD is concerned, we will investigate the matter and take action against the Dubai-based companies which issued visit visas to these 20 Indian workers."

Meanwhile, Asokan added, "We have informed the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs in New Delhi about the incident. They have started investigating the issue with the help of the Kerala state government. Strict action will be taken against the agents in India who indulge in this kind of malpractice and fraud," he added.

"The Indian Community Welfare Committee has arranged food for the victims. We will also initiate further action to help the workers get their money refunded," he disclosed.

According to the victims, Rajan had charged them amounts ranging between Dh10,000 to Dh12,000 promising them jobs in the UAE. He used different agents in India to canvas the jobseekers. Contrary to his promise of employment visas, all the victims were brought into the UAE on visit visas.

The workers were left in a lurch after entering the UAE since Rajan failed to arrange any jobs for them. They struggled for days to find some food. Finally the workers traced Rajan's apartment in Deira and locked him up. The Indian consulate officials rushed to the spot and handed over Rajan to the Dubai police. Currently, the accused is in the custody of Naif Police Station. It is learnt that the accused had brought in many workers in the past using a similar modus operandi. Meanwhile, no police official was available for any comment.

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