Bihar’s Gopalganj district made headlines with the dramatic arrest of a fraudster running a sophisticated overseas job placement scam. The kingpin was nabbed red-handed, leading to the recovery of 349 passports that paint a grim picture of exploitation targeting vulnerable migrants.
Operating under the guise of a legitimate recruitment agency, the accused lured jobless individuals with dreams of high-paying jobs in the Middle East and Europe. Victims parted with their hard-earned savings and personal documents, only to be left stranded without jobs or refunds.
The breakthrough came through persistent undercover work by the local Special Task Force. ‘We acted on tips from affected families and conducted surveillance for weeks,’ said SP Gopalganj. The passports, some dating back years, indicate a long-running operation possibly involving forged travel papers.
Experts point out that such scams thrive in regions like Bihar due to high unemployment rates and lack of awareness. The state government has intensified monitoring of illegal agents, but challenges remain. This case underscores the perils of bypassing official emigration procedures.
As the probe expands, police are scrutinizing the accused’s financial transactions and mobile data for accomplices. Gopalganj Police has registered cases under relevant sections of the IPC and Emigration Act. Victims are being contacted to reclaim their documents, while authorities warn of stricter penalties for such crimes in future.