Punjab accounts for 53% of complaints against illegal recruiting agents in region

Chandigarh: Amid growing concern over young people from Punjab and neighbouring states falling victim to fraudulent travel agents, the ministry of external affairs acknowledged that it is aware of instances in which dubious entities lured Indian nationals, including those from Punjab and other northern states, with fake overseas job offers.According to the ministry, such fraudulent recruitment drives are often promoted through social media platforms and target youth seeking employment abroad in various countries.
The information was shared in response to a question by SAD MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal. As per the data placed before the House, a total of 291 complaints were lodged over the past 3 years against unauthorised or illegal recruiting agents in Punjab, Chandigarh, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. Punjab accounted for 154 complaints, including 56 in 2023, 18 in 2024 and 80 in 2025, which constitutes nearly 53% of the total complaints in the region. Chandigarh recorded 92 complaints during the same period, including 3 in 2023, 9 in 2024 and 80 in 2025. Haryana reported 39 complaints, comprising 4 in 2023, 2 in 2024 and 33 in 2025, while Himachal Pradesh reported 6 complaints, including 4 in 2023, 0 in 2024 and 2 in 2025.With regard to action taken, the ministry stated that Action Taken Reports were submitted or FIRs were registered by State or UT police in several cases. Punjab reported 0 FIRs in 2023, 38 in 2024 and 69 in 2025. Chandigarh reported 0 in 2023 and 2024, and 37 in 2025. Haryana reported 15 FIRs in 2025 and 0 in the preceding 2 years, while Himachal Pradesh reported 1 FIR each in 2023 and 2025.In terms of prosecution, the data shows that requests for the issue of prosecution sanction after investigation were received only in 1 case from Haryana in 2024. Correspondingly, prosecution sanction was issued in 1 case in Haryana in 2024. No such requests or sanctions were reported from Punjab, Chandigarh or Himachal Pradesh during the 3-year period.The ministry informed the House that fraudulent activities by illegal or unscrupulous recruitment agents generally come to light when complaints are filed by aggrieved emigrants or their relatives, friends or family members. It stated that Indian nationals often proceed abroad of their own volition through such agents and through illegal channels, and that specific data on the number of Indian nationals who attempted irregular migration is not available.It further clarified that most foreign govts do not share information on illegal stay by foreigners except when deportation is ordered and nationality verification or issuance of travel documents is required. Procedures for deportation vary from country to country. In cases where the deportee holds a valid Indian travel document, deportation may be carried out directly by the host govt without prior information to Indian Missions or Posts. Missions are contacted only when nationality verification and issuance of an Emergency Certificate are required.Referring to the legal framework, the ministry stated that under Section 10 of the Emigration Act, 1983, no person or agency can function as a Recruiting Agent without a valid Registration Certificate issued by the Protector General of Emigrants. Complaints relating to illegal migration or human trafficking are referred to the State police for investigation and prosecution under relevant legal provisions, including the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and other applicable laws.The ministry added that advisories are issued through the eMigrate portal, social media and other publicity platforms to warn citizens about fake job rackets. Till January 2026, a list of 3,505 unregistered agents against whom grievances were received was published on the eMigrate portal to caution prospective emigrants. Awareness campaigns on safe and legal migration are conducted across the country through workshops, training sessions and digital outreach programmes for media, police, law enforcement agencies, local administration, aspiring recruiting agents and the general public. The Protector General of Emigrants, through 16 Protector of Emigrants offices across India, regularly coordinates with State Govts and holds meetings with State level Nodal Officers to address issues related to illegal recruiting agencies and enforcement of emigration rules and regulations.NO of complaintsSTATE | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | totalPunjab | 56 | 18 | 80 | 154Chandigarh | 3 | 9 | 80 | 92Haryana | 4 | 2 | 33 | 39Himachal Pradesh | 4 | 0 | 2 | 6Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Valentine's day wishes, messages and gift idea !