Mumbai:In a major crackdown on unlawful overseas recruitment activities, the office of the Protector of Emigrants (PoE) and the Crime Branch jointly sealed nine entities in the Nagpada area on Wednesday. The action comes amid rising complaints of fraudulent job offers and unauthorised agents exploiting aspirants seeking employment abroad.
Joint operation uncovers large-scale illegal recruitment
According to officials, several unauthorised agencies in Nagpada were functioning without the mandatory registration and licence required under the Emigration Act, 1983. These operators allegedly promised lucrative foreign employment opportunities and collected money from unsuspecting jobseekers while lacking legal approval to facilitate such placements.
During the operation, authorities recovered 238 Indian passports belonging to prospective emigrants, signalling a wide network of individuals who had already been convinced to hand over their documents. The team also seized multiple forged or suspicious items, including:
- Employment offer letters
- Logbooks and registers
- Fake visiting cards
- Rubber stamps
- Documents used for processing foreign employment
Officials stated that these materials were being used to route overseas job applications through fraudulent channels, often leaving aspirants vulnerable to financial losses and unsafe migration pathways.
Two persons were arrested at the scene for allegedly operating without authorisation. However, the investigation team noted that more individuals and linked entities may be involved, and further inquiry is underway.
PoE urges citizens to verify recruitment agencies
Following the crackdown, the PoE issued a public advisory, urging job aspirants to rely only on authorised recruitment agents and legitimate emigration channels. The office stressed that citizens can verify agency details and emigration procedures on the official government portal:
Authorities reiterated that the Emigration Act mandates strict licensing for any organisation involved in overseas job placements, and individuals should never hand over passports or money without confirmation of an agent’s legitimacy.
Accused released by magistrate
Later on Wednesday, the two arrested persons were produced before the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate of the 37th Court, Esplanade. Magistrate Vinod Patil ordered their release, remarking that the FIR did not specify the name of any individual who had been cheated.
“The offence is related to cheating. However, the FIR does not disclose the name of the victim whom the accused cheated. It is not the case of the prosecution that the concerned police station has received a complaint regarding the cheating,” the magistrate observed.
The court cited a Supreme Court judgment emphasising the necessity of a preliminary inquiry in cases involving allegations of cheating. The magistrate noted that the investigating officer had not conducted such an inquiry before making the arrests.
Furthermore, the court remarked:
“The arrest of the accused is not essential for investigation purposes. The arrest has been made in an arbitrary manner.”
Legal experts say the release reflects the judiciary’s increasing insistence on procedural correctness in economic offences, particularly those involving allegations of fraud without identifiable complainants.
Widespread impact on jobseekers
The incident has brought renewed focus to the increasing number of illegal job recruitment networks in metropolitan areas like Mumbai, where aspirants—often from modest backgrounds—seek opportunities in Gulf and other overseas markets. Many deposit large sums of money with unauthorised agents, hoping for fast-track processing, only to later realise they have been cheated.
Officials said the recovery of 238 passports may only represent a fraction of the affected individuals. Several victims hesitate to come forward due to stigma, fear of deportation or lack of awareness of legal procedures.
Need for stronger regulation and public awareness
Experts believe that while sealing illegal offices is a step in the right direction, long-term solutions require:
- Stronger monitoring of recruitment agencies
- Police verification of operators
- Awareness campaigns in urban and rural areas
- Stricter legal action against habitual offenders
The PoE has reiterated that legitimate recruitment channels provide safer migration pathways, including verified job offers, mandatory insurance and proper documentation.
Conclusion
The joint operation in Nagpada has exposed a significant illegal recruitment network that could have endangered hundreds of aspiring emigrants. While the accused have been released pending investigation, authorities maintain that the seized passports and documents point to clear violations of the Emigration Act. With inquiries ongoing, officials urge the public to avoid unauthorised operators and use verified government platforms to protect themselves from fraud.rified government platforms to protect themselves from fraud.