Indian embassy in UAE issues warning over fake job offers and visa scams

The Indian embassy in Abu Dhabi and the consulate general in Dubai have issued an advisory to Indian nationals about deceptive job advertisements and visa scams in the UAE and Europe. These agencies lure job seekers with false promises of employment and residency in exchange for payment. The missions have received numerous complaints from individuals, mainly from southern Indian states, through social media and private visa-processing agencies.

Applicants are advised not to rely on social media or private agencies for visa information. Instead, they should directly verify visa requirements and procedures with the embassy or consulate of the desired country. Official government websites should be consulted for the most recent immigration information before making any payments or sharing personal documents.

The advisory comes in response to a previous warning from the Indian embassy in Abu Dhabi in August, which cautioned citizens about unauthorised people offering consular services. Scammers have been posing as agents, offering emergency certificates, exit permits, Emirates ID, visa regularisation, and employment. They may obtain victims' facial images and fingerprint scans, misuse this information for financial transactions or opening bank accounts, leading to financial liabilities and potential legal consequences.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has also issued a warning about passport-related scams, where fraudsters impersonate agents or police officials, promising faster processing and demanding money and personal information. They may create fake websites of official passport portals to collect application fees and identity documents.

The CBI advises Indians not to pay anyone guaranteeing passport approval, urgent processing, or overseas jobs, not to click on suspicious links or share sensitive information with unverified agencies.