A significant crackdown on illegal overseas recruitment activities unfolded in Mangaluru, Karnataka, as authorities booked two unauthorized agencies for conducting recruitment drives without approval from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Avaneesh Shukla, the Protector of Emigrants (POE) for Karnataka and Goa, led the operation after receiving credible intelligence about illicit job placement interviews in the city. The agencies, operating from Bendoorwell and Pumpwell, were found violating the Emigration Act, 1983, by attempting to recruit candidates for overseas jobs in Europe, Israel, Mauritius, and Gulf countries without the mandatory license. This action, the third such case in Karnataka within six months, underscores the growing menace of fraudulent recruitment agencies exploiting job seekers’ aspirations for international employment and highlights the urgent need for awareness and regulatory enforcement.
The operation began when Shukla, acting on a tip-off, traveled to Mangaluru to investigate a planned recruitment drive in Bendoorwell. By the time he arrived, the interviews had been postponed, but investigations revealed that the agency, identified as Z-Zone Consultancy, lacked the required MEA authorization. A separate agency in Pumpwell, active on social media for the past six months, was also raided in coordination with the Mangaluru City Police. Authorities seized application forms, candidate biodatas, and other documents, uncovering advertisements on Instagram and other platforms promising lucrative overseas opportunities. First Information Reports (FIRs) were filed against both agencies under the Emigration Act, marking a concerted effort to curb illegal migration and protect vulnerable job seekers.
Illegal recruitment agencies pose a significant threat to aspiring migrant workers, often charging exorbitant fees—ranging from ₹2 lakh to ₹5 lakh—compared to the legal cap of ₹30,000 plus GST for registered agencies. The Emigration Act, 1983, mandates that only MEA-licensed agencies can recruit for overseas employment, with violations punishable by up to two years’ imprisonment and a ₹2,000 fine, doubled for repeat offenses. Unlicensed agencies frequently use social media, WhatsApp, and text messages to lure candidates, offering little transparency about their operations or job conditions. Such practices can lead to exploitation, including low pay, hazardous work environments, or stranding workers abroad without promised jobs, sometimes amounting to human trafficking.
Mangaluru, a coastal city with a history of migration to Gulf countries, has become a hotspot for such fraudulent activities. Over the past six months, Karnataka has seen three agencies booked under the Emigration Act, including a prior case against Hireglow Elegant Overseas International Private Limited in Bendoorwell. In 2020, the POE in Bengaluru identified 17 illegal agencies in Mangaluru among 50 statewide, indicating a persistent challenge. The rise in unemployment, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has fueled desperation, making job seekers easy targets for scams promising quick wealth abroad. Victims often pay hefty sums only to face deception, with some agencies operating through blind ads or WhatsApp, obscuring their identities and locations.
Shukla emphasized the importance of verifying agency credentials, urging job seekers to check the MEA’s website, emigrate.gov.in, for a list of registered recruiting agents (RAs). Registered RAs must display a license number in their offices and advertisements and provide receipts for fees, ensuring transparency. The government also mandates that RAs purchase Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana (PBBY) insurance for migrant workers, offering benefits like ₹10 lakh for death cases and coverage for work-related injuries, with premiums of ₹275 for two years or ₹375 for three years. For those duped or stranded abroad, Shukla assured that help is available through Indian embassies, the MADAD Portal, or the Overseas Workers Resource Centre (OWRC), with family or friends able to contact helplines on behalf of affected individuals.
The Mangaluru operation is part of a broader effort to combat illegal recruitment across India. In 2024, Punjab booked 18 travel agencies for similar violations, while Madurai police seized hundreds of passports from illegal agents in Melur. Kerala, with only 300 licensed agencies, has reported numerous unlicensed operators posing as sub-agents, exploiting job seekers during the pandemic. Nationwide, over 4,000 complaints were filed against illegal recruiters from 2021 to June 2024, though only 10% led to preliminary police action due to settlements between victims and agents. The Ministry of External Affairs has responded by forming task forces, as seen in Kerala’s 2024 initiative, and encouraging public verification systems to check agency legitimacy.
Public sentiment on platforms like X in May 2025 reflected alarm over the Mangaluru cases. Posts by the POE Bengaluru account urged caution, linking to advisories about illegal recruitment, while users expressed relief at the crackdown but called for stricter enforcement and awareness campaigns. Many highlighted the economic pressures driving youth to fall for such scams, emphasizing the need for job creation and education about legal migration pathways. The operation’s visibility on social media amplified its impact, reinforcing the message that fraudulent agencies exploit vulnerable populations.
Karnataka’s proactive measures include awareness programs, such as Shukla’s sensitization session for Mangaluru City Police six months ago and a recent talk at a local nursing college. These efforts aim to educate both authorities and potential migrants about legal recruitment processes. The state’s collaboration with police, as seen in the joint raids, demonstrates a model for enforcement that other regions could emulate. However, challenges remain, including the low conviction rate for illegal recruiters and the difficulty of tracking agencies that operate online or relocate frequently. Strengthening cybercrime units to monitor fake advertisements and enhancing coordination between states could further deter such activities.
The Mangaluru crackdown serves as a wake-up call for job seekers and policymakers alike. For individuals, verifying agency credentials and avoiding unofficial channels like tourist visas or direct hiring schemes is critical to avoiding exploitation. For authorities, increasing raids, raising public awareness, and streamlining legal migration processes are essential to dismantling the network of illegal recruiters. As Karnataka continues to address this issue, the Mangaluru cases highlight the importance of vigilance, collaboration, and systemic reforms to ensure safe and legal opportunities for India’s aspiring migrant workers.
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