The dream of going abroad for a better job and future is increasingly turning into a nightmare for many people in Punjab. Cases of Punjab Immigration Fraud are reportedly rising as unregistered agents allegedly lure job seekers with promises of work visas, high salaries and guaranteed employment, only to send them abroad on tourist visas or leave them stranded in unfamiliar countries.
Several cases highlighted in the report show how people allegedly paid lakhs of rupees to agents but ended up facing detention, legal problems, forced labour or prolonged stays abroad without the promised employment.
One of the most concerning trends is the alleged use of tourist visas instead of work visas, with victims discovering the deception only after reaching another country.
Complaints of Punjab Immigration Fraud, Jump From 18 to 80
According to a report of the Union Home Ministry cited in the source material, complaints related to illegal recruitment activities in Punjab increased sharply from 18 in 2024 to 80 in 2025.
Police reportedly submitted action-taken reports in 69 cases in Punjab Immigration Fraud. However, the cases could not move forward in prosecution because requests for sanction to prosecute were reportedly not received.
The trend was not limited to Punjab. In neighbouring Haryana, complaints reportedly increased from 2 in 2024 to 33 in 2025.
The figures highlight the growing challenge of illegal overseas recruitment and immigration-related fraud.
Unregistered Agents Cannot Legally Recruit for Overseas Employment
Under Section 10 of the Emigration Act, 1983, a person or agency cannot recruit individuals for employment abroad without a valid registration certificate issued by the Protector General of Emigrants.
The source material states that violations can lead to the suspension or cancellation of registration.
It also mentions that information on 3,505 unregistered agents has so far been shared through the e-Migrate portal.
For people planning to work abroad, checking whether an agent is authorised before paying money can therefore be an important first step.
Canada Dream Allegedly Turned Into Trouble in Mauritius
One case cited in the report involves Jaswinder Singh from Ludhiana, who allegedly wanted to travel to Canada.
According to his account, a travel agent promised to send him to Canada but allegedly sent him to Mauritius on a tourist visa in January 2025.
After reaching Mauritius, Jaswinder reportedly became caught up in legal and practical difficulties. According to the account, he remained in detention and prison-related circumstances for nearly a year before returning to India in July 2026.
Jaswinder alleged that some travel agents were promising young people Canada but sending them to other countries on tourist visas.
He also reportedly highlighted the difficulties created by language barriers and unfamiliar local laws. A tourist visa does not provide permission to work, making the situation even more complicated for people who travel abroad expecting employment.
His return was reportedly facilitated after intervention by Rajya Sabha MP Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal and assistance from the Indian Embassy.
The case has raised concerns about alleged networks that send young people to third countries through tourist visas.
Promised Food Packaging Job in Russia, Allegedly Sent for Construction Work
Another Punjab Immigration Fraud case involves Akashdeep, a resident of Ramnagar in Jalandhar.
According to his allegations, a travel agent promised him a work visa for Russia, a food-packaging job, good salary and accommodation.
However, he alleged that he was instead sent to Russia on a tourist visa and made to work in construction rather than food packaging.
Akashdeep further alleged that he was offered the option of joining the Russian military, with the promise of earning lakhs of rupees.
After he refused, he claimed that the agent stopped helping him.
According to his account, he eventually had to hide in a forest for several days while facing severe difficulties. The process of returning to India reportedly cost around ₹8 lakh.
The allegations underline the risks faced by people who travel abroad through unofficial recruitment channels without independently verifying their visa and employment arrangements.
Punjab Youths Allegedly Cheated in Kazakhstan
The report also highlights the case of seven to eight Punjabi youths stranded in Kazakhstan.
According to the allegations, a local agent promised them driving jobs and good earnings and allegedly collected approximately ₹1.5 lakh from each person.
After reaching Kazakhstan, however, the youths allegedly did not receive the promised driving jobs.
Instead, they were reportedly made to perform physically demanding labour, including carrying heavy materials in snow-covered mountainous areas.
The case is another example of how an overseas employment promise can allegedly turn into a completely different situation after the applicant reaches the destination country.
₹19 Lakh Spent, Nearly a Year Allegedly Stranded in Morocco
One of the most striking cases concerns Karmjeet Singh Aulakh from Panjwar village in Tarn Taran.
According to his account, he paid an agent ₹19 lakh in 2018 to travel to the United States through an illegal “dunki” route.
On January 20, 2018, the agent allegedly called him to Delhi and arranged a flight to Africa.
Karmjeet said that after travelling through different locations, he eventually spent around 25 days walking before being taken to the forests of Mali.
He was subsequently taken to Morocco, where he reportedly spent several months waiting for arrangements to continue his journey.
According to his account, the agent repeatedly attempted to arrange a sea crossing. After four to five months, the person allegedly responsible for moving him onward said he could no longer continue and left him in a room, promising that another person would take over.
Karmjeet said his health began deteriorating after remaining there for a prolonged period.
Eventually, in December, he reportedly contacted a friend in his village without informing his parents and asked him to arrange a return ticket.
A ticket was reportedly arranged for January 1, 2019, allowing him to return to India.
Despite spending ₹19 lakh, he allegedly ended up spending nearly a year in Morocco in extremely difficult circumstances.
Karmjeet later told his family that travelling abroad for work is not wrong, but people should use legal and verified routes rather than illegal migration channels.
Why Tourist Visa Misuse Can Become Dangerous
The cases cited in the report show a common alleged pattern:
Work Visa Promise → Large Payment → Tourist Visa → Foreign Country → No Job → Legal/Financial Problems
A tourist visa generally does not provide permission to work. People who travel expecting employment but arrive on a tourist visa can therefore find themselves in a vulnerable position.
In addition to financial losses, they may face immigration violations, detention, deportation or other legal consequences depending on the laws of the country concerned.
Experts Warn People to Verify Immigration Agents
Immigration expert and visa consultant Maneet Singh Khurana has advised people planning to move abroad to remain cautious of fake immigration agencies and agents making unrealistic promises.
According to the source material, some agents allegedly attract customers by promising:
- Quick overseas travel
- Guaranteed jobs
- Guaranteed visas
- High salaries
- Fast processing
People should verify the agency and agent before making any payment.
The report advises prospective travellers to check authorised agents through official government resources, carefully read agreements before signing them and insist on payment receipts.
Applicants should also avoid handing over passports, visas or other important documents to unknown or unverified individuals.
Illegal Immigration Networks Need Thorough Investigation
Rajya Sabha MP Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal has called for a thorough investigation into alleged human trafficking and illegal-agent networks.
According to his statement cited in the report, some agents allegedly gain control over young people’s earnings and bank accounts, leaving their families facing financial and emotional difficulties.
He also raised concerns about allegations involving Indian youths in Russia who were allegedly placed in complicated legal and administrative situations and pressured toward joining the Russian military.
Such allegations require detailed and impartial investigation by the relevant authorities.
How to Protect Yourself From Punjab Immigration Fraud
The rise in Punjab Immigration Fraud complaints makes verification especially important for anyone planning to work abroad.
Before paying an immigration or recruitment agent:
- Verify the agent’s registration through official government channels.
- Check the e-Migrate portal where applicable.
- Verify the foreign employer independently.
- Confirm whether the visa is actually a work visa, not a tourist visa.
- Ask for a written employment contract.
- Do not sign documents without reading and understanding them.
- Demand receipts for every payment.
- Avoid paying large amounts in cash.
- Keep copies of your passport and all submitted documents.
- Be suspicious of anyone promising a guaranteed visa or job.
- Never agree to travel illegally through a third country.
- Independently verify the visa and job offer before boarding a flight.
Punjab Immigration Fraud: Key Figures and Cases
| Issue | Details |
|---|---|
| Punjab complaints in 2024 | 18 |
| Punjab complaints in 2025 | 80 |
| Police action reports submitted | 69 cases |
| Unregistered agents listed on e-Migrate | 3,505 |
| Haryana complaints in 2024 | 2 |
| Haryana complaints in 2025 | 33 |
| Ludhiana victim’s alleged Mauritius ordeal | Nearly 1 year |
| Jalandhar Russia return costs | Around ₹8 lakh |
| Kazakhstan victims’ alleged payment | Around ₹1.5 lakh each |
| Karmjeet Singh’s alleged illegal migration payment | ₹19 lakh |
FAQs : Punjab Immigration Fraud
1. What is Punjab Immigration Fraud?
Punjab Immigration Fraud refers to cases where people are allegedly cheated through fake or misleading promises related to overseas jobs, work visas, immigration services or foreign travel.
2. How many illegal recruitment complaints were reported in Punjab Immigration Fraud in 2025?
According to the cited Union Home Ministry data, complaints increased from 18 in 2024 to 80 in 2025.
3. Why is travelling abroad on a tourist visa for employment risky?
A tourist visa generally does not authorise employment. Someone travelling abroad expecting a job while holding a tourist visa may face immigration and legal problems.
4. What is the e-Migrate portal?
The e-Migrate system is a government platform used for matters related to overseas employment and emigration. The source material states that information on 3,505 unregistered agents has been shared through the portal.
5. How can people verify an overseas recruitment agent?
Applicants should check the agent’s registration through official government sources, including the applicable e-Migrate system, before making payments.
6. What are some warning signs of Punjab immigration fraud?
Promises of guaranteed visas, unusually high salaries, extremely fast processing, requests for large cash payments and pressure to travel on a tourist visa for employment should all be treated as warning signs.
7. Why should people avoid illegal migration routes in Punjab Immigration Fraud?
Illegal migration can result in financial losses, detention, exploitation, legal problems and prolonged separation from family, as illustrated by several cases described in the report.
8. What should someone do before accepting an overseas job?
Verify the employer, recruitment agent, visa category, employment contract, salary, accommodation arrangements and travel documents independently before paying or travelling.
Final Takeaway On Punjab Immigration Fraud
The sharp increase in reported complaints — from 18 in 2024 to 80 in 2025 — highlights the growing concerns surrounding Punjab Immigration Fraud.
The cases described in the report show how the promise of Canada, the UK, Russia, Kazakhstan or the United States can allegedly be used to extract large sums from aspiring migrants. Some victims reportedly ended up in third countries on tourist visas, while others faced detention, forced labour or prolonged hardship.
The safest approach is simple: verify the agent, verify the employer, verify the visa and use only legal migration channels.
Source : Amar Ujala
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