Lok Sabha Question No. 1074 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-05
Subject: Measures against Illegal Migration and Visa Fraud
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Sasikanth Senthil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 1074 ANSWERED ON- 05/12/2025 MEASURES AGAINST ILLEGAL MIGRATION AND VISA FRAUD 1074.   SHRI SASIKANTH SENTHIL Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state :(a)   whether   the   Government   has   taken   steps   to   curb   illegal migration syndicates and visa fraud cases targeting Indian citizens, particularly in Southeast Asia and the Middle East, in view of  recent MEA advisories on countries such as Iran; (b)   if   so,   the   coordination   mechanisms   established   between   the Ministry,   State   Governments,   and   law   enforcement   agencies   to dismantle   illegal   recruitment   networks   and   prevent   fraudulent overseas employment practices; (c)   the   initiatives   undertaken,   including   awareness   campaigns, workshops, and digital platforms such as the e-Migrate portal, to promote safe and legal migration; and

(d)   the   outcomes   achieved   and   future   measures   proposed   to strengthen border controls, monitor migration patterns and enhance cooperation with international agencies to protect Indian migrants abroad?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a to d)  Government accords highest priority to the safety, security and   well-being   of   Indian   nationals   proceeding   for   employment abroad. As and when reports of illegal migration syndicates and visa fraud cases as well as complaints against illegal agents/dubious firms luring Indian youth in false recruitment offers through various channels are received, such matters are referred to the State police for investigation and prosecution under the relevant legal provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and other legislation in place including the ones enacted by some State Governments.

Government   of   India   has   taken   multiple   steps   to   prevent   such incidents.   It   has   issued   regular   advisories   cautioning   Indian nationals against fraudulent job offers and unauthorized recruiting agents and emphasized the need to verify employment credentials through Indian Missions/Posts abroad in the respective countries. Government of India has also enhanced the eMigrate platform, which brings together recruiting agents, foreign employers, and emigrants into a unified digital ecosystem. In the cyber domain, action is also taken   against   illegal   recruiting   agents   in   association   with   the Ministry of Home Affairs and State Police authorities. Requests to take down social media posts of illegal Recruiting Agents from all over   India   have   been   regularly   shared   with   the   concerned authorities.

Ministry also issues advisories through eMigrate portal, social media handles and other modes of publicity about the perils of fake job rackets and ways to prevent the same.  A list of unregistered agents in the country has also been notified on the eMigrate portal. The awareness campaign on safe and legal migration through eMigrate

portal is carried out by the Ministry across the country from time to time   by   conducting   workshops,   trainings,   information   sessions, digital   campaigns   for   media   groups,   police   officials   and   law enforcement   agencies,   local   administration,   aspiring   recruiting agents, entrepreneurs and general public. During these sessions awareness   on   emigration   regulations,   schemes   beneficial   for emigrants like Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana (PBBY), Pre-Departure Orientation Training (PDOT), eMigrate portal and various advisories issued   by   Indian   Embassies   are   brought   to   the   notice   of   all stakeholders   to   job   seekers,   and   advise   them   to   verify   all antecedents   of   Recruiting   Agents   before   accepting   any   kind   of employment offer and not be enticed and entrapped in the fraudulent job offers.

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