Mangaluru: Several youths from Mangaluru and surrounding areas have approached the Bajpe and Kadri police stations, alleging that they were cheated of lakhs of rupees after being lured with false promises of high-paying jobs abroad. The complainants said they were promised employment with a salary of ₹1.5 lakh per month but were instead taken to Armenia, where no jobs were provided, leaving them stranded in extremely difficult conditions.

The victims, identified as Manjunath Naik of Edapadavu, Umesh of B.C. Road, and Gagan of Yeyyadi, returned to India on December 4 after escaping from their ordeal. In their complaints, they have accused Rakesh Rai of Ganjimath Manel, Bhushan Kulal of Yeyyadi, and Antony Preetham Garodi of cheating more than 30 youths using similar tactics.

Promise of lucrative jobs abroad

According to the complainants, the accused promised overseas jobs with attractive salaries, claiming that employment would be provided either in the Gulf or with an American company. The salary was projected to be paid in euros, translating to around ₹1.5 lakh per month in Indian currency.

Manjunath Naik said he had known Rakesh Rai earlier, which led him to trust the offer. About six months ago, Rakesh allegedly approached him with assurances that no job consultancy or agency was involved and that visas and travel arrangements would be handled smoothly. He was told that the opportunity was genuine and time-sensitive.

Believing the assurances, Manjunath pledged gold ornaments belonging to his mother and relatives and paid ₹2.40 lakh. He was issued a visa, and when he questioned why it was a tourist visa instead of a work visa, he was allegedly told that it was only temporary and that a work visa would be arranged after arrival in the destination country.

Taken to Armenia instead of job destination

On October 8, Manjunath travelled to Armenia via Dubai. Upon arrival, he was picked up by the accused and dropped at a room. However, when he enquired about the promised job, he was asked to wait for a few days on the pretext that talks were ongoing with the employer.

Even after a week, no job materialised. Manjunath said he later realised that several other youths from Mangaluru and nearby areas were also staying in the same room under similar circumstances. Within two weeks, around 12 more youths joined them, all of whom had been promised lucrative overseas employment.

He alleged that Armenia was an extremely poor country with hardly any industries or companies offering employment opportunities. “There were no basic facilities, and survival itself was difficult,” Manjunath said.

Harsh living conditions and daily-wage labour

The complainants described harsh weather conditions, including snowfall at night, making it difficult to survive without proper clothing or heating. Essential items and vegetables were expensive, and many items had to be imported, further increasing costs.

Within a week, the youths began struggling even for food. The accused, however, allegedly lived comfortably and showed no concern for their condition. With no financial support and no jobs, the youths were forced to take up daily-wage labour such as carrying cement, lifting stones and cleaning toilets just to earn enough to eat.

Communication was another major challenge, as locals spoke only the local language and not English. Using Google Translate, the youths discovered that even locals migrated to other countries in search of work, highlighting the lack of employment opportunities in Armenia.

More victims still stranded

The complainants claimed that more than 25 youths are still stranded in similar conditions in Armenia. Each victim had allegedly paid between ₹2 lakh and ₹3 lakh, with some paying as much as ₹4 lakh. Many of them had borrowed money and were hesitant to inform their families due to fear and embarrassment.

Manjunath said that with the assistance of members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, the three complainants managed to raise money again by pledging gold ornaments to book return tickets to India.

Legal trouble and travel ban

Manjunath said that the tourist visa issued to him allowed a stay of only 21 days. However, as they overstayed by nearly three months, they were fined ₹50,000 each for illegal immigration. Unable to pay the fine, they were allegedly forced to give a written undertaking stating that they would never return to Armenia.

He further claimed that they have been banned from re-entering the country, which could adversely affect their chances of travelling to other countries in the future.

Before opting for the overseas job, Manjunath said he was working as an area in-charge executive at a chocolate company in Mangaluru, earning about ₹40,000 per month. Hoping to repay debts and improve his financial situation, he decided to take the risk of working abroad.

Accused allegedly absconding

The victims alleged that the accused had promised them warehouse in-charge positions and repeatedly convinced them through phone calls. They now claim that Rakesh Rai, Bhushan Kulal and Antony Preetham are no longer in Armenia and are currently staying in Dubai.

“They have no jobs there and are allegedly enjoying themselves with the money collected from us,” Manjunath alleged.

Conclusion

The complaints have brought to light yet another case of an overseas job scam targeting unemployed and financially stressed youths with false promises of high salaries. Police officials are expected to investigate the matter thoroughly and verify whether more victims have been cheated using the same modus operandi. The case serves as a stark reminder for job seekers to verify overseas employment offers and avoid travelling on tourist visas for work, as such decisions can lead to severe financial, legal and personal consequences.