Telangana: Fake job mafia rules the roost, many land in Gulf without work

HYDERABAD: Mafia in the garb of agents are promising ‘non-existent’ jobs in West Asian countries to unemployed youth from Telangana in exchange of hefty fees, while authorities are doing little to stop this trafficking business. With ‘trust’ playing an important role, the illegal agents promise lucrative jobs in Gulf and extract up to Rs 2 lakh from victims.

The realisation of getting cheated dawn on them the after they land in the Gulf.


TOI is in possession of names and phone numbers of 335 illegal agents operating in Nizamabad, Kamareddy, Sircilla, Ramayampet, Nirmal, Vemulawada, Jagtial, Armoor and other places. These agents, who promise a minimum salary of Rs 30,000 per month, are part of mafia which operates from Gulf, Mumbai and Hyderabad. It has been found that agents are connected to travel agencies or operate as travel agents.

When TOI asked about how they operate, some were unwilling to speak, while others were upfront about it. “I send workers to Gulf and take money from them. But I have applied for a licence to operate legally,” an illegal Gulf agent said.

In a video, Boddu Srinivas (33) of Rajanna Sircilla district, said he paid Rs 70,000 to an agent who sent him to the Gulf, but there was no job for him. Another worker Reddy Madhu shared a video, saying he is suffering in Malaysia without any job. “I paid Rs 1.5 lakh to the agent who promised me a good job in Malaysia. But I neither had food nor a place to sleep. I was literally on the road,” said D Ashok, whose friend Shekhar introduced him to the agent.

These agents send workers on visitor visa, promising they would get work permit once they reach. However, they end up working in homes or construction sites illegally. Many workers land up in desert areas in Saudi and seek help.

Patkuri Basanth Reddy, president of Gulf Telangana Welfare and Cultural Association, said workers should check the antecedents of those who approach them with job offers.