Overseas job offers fuel 'dangerous trend' of trafficking, MHA calls for specialised action

The Union Home Ministry has warned of a “dangerous trend” of human trafficking through “overseas recruitment scams”, directing states and Union Territories to launch a specialised enforcement drive against networks that lure people with promises of high-paying jobs and subsequently trap them in “CyberFraud Centres”.

In an advisory issued to states and UTs, the ministry called for a coordinated response involving state police, cyber cells, labour authorities, anti-human trafficking units and local administrations to identify and dismantle fraudulent recruitment networks.

Home Ministry flags overseas job scam trafficking

The ministry has asked state cyber cells to closely monitor social media platforms and job portals for suspicious overseas recruitment offers. Authorities have also been directed to promptly secure digital chats, payment records and other electronic evidence in cases involving fraudulent recruitment.


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The advisory calls for a mandatory verification mechanism for local recruitment and placement agencies. Agencies operating without a valid licence issued by the Protector of Emigrants under the Ministry of External Affairs, as well as those facilitating illegal “donkey” routes, should be shut down and their operators prosecuted under aggravated trafficking provisions, the ministry said.

States asked to verify recruitment agencies

The Home Ministry has asked states and UTs to establish a system for regularly sharing verified information on labour hiring agencies, placement agencies, contractors and overseas recruitment facilitators with police, Anti-Human Trafficking Units (AHTUs), special branches and district administrations.

“State/UT administrations need to establish a structured mechanism for regular circulation and sharing of verified information relating to labour hiring agencies, placement agencies, contractors, and overseas recruitment facilitators with police, anti-human trafficking units (AHTU), special branches, district administration, etc,” the ministry said.

The advisory also calls for greater public awareness about unauthorised migration. States have been asked to use the e-Migrate portal for awareness campaigns and involve panchayats in identifying and reporting unauthorised agents operating in their areas.

Social media, local media told to verify recruiter licences

The ministry has also called on states to issue clear advisories to digital platforms and local media organisations to verify recruiters’ licences before allowing overseas job advertisements to be published.

“States should issue clear advisories to digital platforms and local media to verify the licences of recruiters before publishing advertisements. Failure to perform due diligence should be viewed as aiding and abetting the crime,” it said.

The move comes amid concerns over fraudulent recruitment channels being used to lure people with overseas employment offers before allegedly forcing or deceiving victims into cyber fraud operations.

Home Ministry asks states to strengthen anti-trafficking units

The ministry has directed states to strengthen their Anti-Human Trafficking Units and ensure that units receiving Central assistance under the Nirbhaya Fund are fully staffed and actively involved in field operations.

It has also asked states to use the National Automated Facial Recognition System to cross-reference rescued persons and unidentified minors with records available through the Mission Vatsalya portal.

The measure is intended to support identification and tracing efforts in human trafficking cases, particularly where the identities of rescued or vulnerable persons are not immediately established.

Public servants face action for trafficking-related negligence

The Home Ministry has warned public servants against complicity or administrative negligence in trafficking cases, stressing “zero tolerance for complicity and administrative negligence”.

It said failure to follow prescribed procedures and take required action could result in departmental inquiries and disciplinary penalties.

“There are various provisions that establish criminal liability for a public servant's official complicity. For instance, under Section 199(c) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, any public servant who fails to record information provided to them under sub-section (1) of Section 173 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, in relation of certain cognisable offences punishable under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including Sections 143-144 (trafficking of persons), shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term not less than six months, which may extend up to two years, and shall also be liable to a fine,” it said.

The ministry has asked states and UTs to adopt a coordinated approach involving law enforcement, labour authorities, cyber teams and local administrations to detect fraudulent overseas recruitment and strengthen action against trafficking networks.


Inputs from PTI