Two unlicensed consultancies busted for fraudulent overseas recruitment in Bengaluru

Bengaluru: The Protector of Emigrants (PoE) office has cracked down on two unlicensed immigration consultancies running fraudulent overseas recruitment programmes in September.

The department plans similar operations amid concerns over illegal entities mushrooming across the city.

PoE raided HSR Layout-based Morganvij Immigration Services Pvt Ltd on September 24, finding it engaged in illegal overseas recruitment violating the Emigration Act, 1983.

The office received multiple complaints over six months against the agency. Individuals said it collected several lakhs per person for overseas employment in several countries like the UAE, New Zealand, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg.

Despite a May 19 notice, the agency shifted base and continued operating from another HSR Layout address. The firm also promoted services on Facebook and Instagram.

The raid, led by Avaneesh Shukla, PoE Bengaluru, recovered documents, registers and materials. A case was registered at the HSR Layout police station.

Another case was filed at the Thalagattapura police station against an unlicensed recruitment operator suspected of recruiting individuals for Golden Triangle region employment via Telegram and WhatsApp.

"This operation was carried out by a woman who was working for a Chinese company, operating out of the Myawaddy region in Myanmar, and suspected of being involved in cyberslavery. The investigation into the case is currently ongoing," a senior official involved in the September 6 raid said.

Offenders face charges under Emigration Act, 1983. Section 10 bars overseas recruitment without a valid Registration Certificate from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Violations face imprisonment up to two years and Rs 2,000 fine under sections 24 and 25. Repeat offences double penalties.

HSR Layout-based Morganvij Immigration Services Pvt Ltd was found to be engaged in illegal overseas recruitment activities operating on the pretext of arranging overseas employment in countries such as the UAE New Zealand the Netherlands and Luxembourg. 

"Immigration consultants provide overseas recruitment services under the guise of education-related immigration services. These agencies lack recruitment licences. The public needs due diligence before choosing unregistered firms that often-run scams. We warn all individuals and entities in unauthorised overseas recruitment — including study abroad consultants, PR visa facilitators, or work permit advisors — to cease such activities immediately," the official said.

Advisory by PoE

PoE Bengaluru advises overseas job aspirants to verify recruitment agency credentials at www.emigrate.gov.in. The portal lists registered recruitment agencies.