New Delhi, Sep 19 (UNI) India today issued an advisory cautioning its nationals not to fall prey to unscrupulous agents promising visa-free entry into Iran for employment or other purposes.
In a late night advisory, the MEA said there have been a number of recent cases involving Indian citizens who have been lured to travel to Iran on false promises of employment, or with assurances that they would be sent further to third-countries for employment.
However, on reaching Iran, these Indian nationals have been kidnapped by criminal gangs and ransoms have been demanded from their families for securing their release.
“In this context, all Indian citizens are strongly cautioned to exercise the strictest vigilance regarding such employment promises or offers.”
It noted that the Government of Iran allows visa-free entry to Indians only for tourism purposes.
Therefore, “Any agents promising visa-free entry into Iran for employment or other purposes may well be in connivance with criminal gangs.”
“Indian citizens are therefore advised not to fall prey to such offers.”
There have been reports about three men from Punjab who were lured with fake job offers for Australia. They went missing upon arrival in Tehran, where they were kidnapped, and held for ransom. The Tehran police eventually rescued the men.
Another report has surfaced of a 26-year-old man from Delhi who was lured to travel to Iran on the pretext of a job, and was kidnapped and tortured by a gang. The victim, was held captive for a week before being freed after his family paid Rs 20 lakh as ransom.
