Why is India Warning Citizens About Fake Job Offers in Iran?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Stay alert against fraudulent job offers.
- Visa-free entry to Iran is only for tourism.
- Report suspicious agents to authorities.
- Recent cases of kidnapping highlight the risks.
- Verify job legitimacy before proceeding.
New Delhi, Sep 26 (NationPress) India has issued a strong warning to its citizens about deceptive agents enticing them with job opportunities in Iran, reinforcing a previous advisory and urging individuals to stay alert. This caution follows numerous reports of Indian nationals being abducted upon their arrival in Iran in recent months.
“In recent months, we have observed several Indian nationals being kidnapped by criminals right after landing in Iran... While there is a visa-free arrangement between Iran and India, it is exclusively for tourism purposes. Certain individuals and agents, collaborating with others, have been enticing our citizens to travel to Iran under the pretense of employment,” stated Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), during a media briefing in New Delhi.
“This visa-free entry is not intended for work purposes, and some are misleading individuals by claiming that they will be sent to third countries for job opportunities after reaching Iran. We have issued a warning to ensure that people are informed about these realities and avoid those promoting illegal migration,” he added.
On September 19, the MEA released a notice concerning recent incidents involving Indian citizens traveling to Iran, advising against unauthorized agents who promise job opportunities.
“There have been several recent cases where Indian citizens were lured to Iran with false promises of employment or with assurances of further travel to third countries for jobs. Upon arrival in Iran, these nationals have been captured by criminal gangs, with ransoms demanded from their families for their release,” the advisory stated.
“In this regard, all Indian citizens are strongly advised to maintain the highest level of vigilance concerning such job offers,” it further emphasized.
Highlighting that the Iranian government permits visa-free entry for Indians solely for tourism, the MEA warned that any agents offering visa-free access for employment or other purposes might be collaborating with criminal elements. It urged Indian citizens to avoid falling victim to these misleading offers.