Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)
Mangaluru, Nov 18: Over 130 people from Dakshina Kannada (DK) and Udupi districts have accused a job agency in Kerala of taking their money and passports under the false assurance of providing employment in Israel, leaving them without jobs or their documents.
According to an Indian national residing in Israel, job seekers submitted their passports to a consultancy in Mangaluru, which forwarded them to an agency in Kerala. However, the Kerala-based agency issued offer letters from a fake company that does not exist in Israel. Additionally, the agency withheld their passports and is now demanding money to return them.
Rohit, a representative of the consultancy in Mangaluru, stated, “An acquaintance from Kerala informed me about job openings in Israel through NSDC (National Skill Development Corporation), claiming it was legitimate. He suggested contacting Space International Agency in Kerala. Upon investigation, I found the agency was licensed, so I proceeded with discussions.”
He added, “I handed over 130 passports to Space International Agency. It was agreed that payments would be made only after the issuance of visas. After 20 days, we received offer letters from a company named Kohen Employment Group. When I asked a friend in Israel to verify, he informed me that no such company exists. I immediately notified Space International, but they denied the issue. They are now refusing to return the passports unless Rs 60,000 is paid per passport or the offer letter is accepted with payment.”
Rohit further said, “I have filed complaints with the Kerala police and Emigration department, but there has been no response. A case has also been registered at Shirva police station against the agency for fraud. Some victims paid for the offer letters, but they still haven’t received employment. The agency is now blaming the ongoing conflict in Israel for the delay.”
Preetham from Beltangady, one of the victims, shared his ordeal, “I submitted my passport to Rohit’s office as per instructions from Sandeep in Israel. Now, the agency has issued a fake offer letter and is refusing to return my passport. I am unable to seek employment in other countries because of this.”