News
Fraudulent job agents bilking hundreds of millions; bureau urges agency check on website
View(s):By Hafsa Sabry
The recent discovery of 148 passports outside a non-residential property in the Mattegoda area by a villager has sparked concerns not only about potential personal data breaches and safety but also about continuing multi-million rupee scams by unregistered recruitment agencies.
Reports suggest that a fraudulent foreign job agent duped applicants from Kudamaduwa in Polgasowita of Rs 260 million before disappearing.
The villager who stumbled upon the stash of passports had handed them over to the local police station. Investigations revealed that some had entrusted their passports to the purported recruitment agency to seek overseas jobs.
According to statements from the police media unit, these job seekers had paid between Rs 700,000 and Rs 800,000 for the agency’s services.
Later, about 100 people turned up at the Mattegoda police station, urging officials to return their passports. However, the police have declined these requests, citing legal constraints as the passports are considered police property. Instead, they have recorded the statements of those affected.
People who applied for foreign jobs expressed deep regret, as the money seemed to have gone to waste.
The mother of a 22-year-old man had been defrauded of Rs 25,000.
“It’s not just me; our neighbour’s son is also attempting to travel to a foreign country. The agency promised us iron-carrying work with a good salary, and despite our uncertainties, we were eager to send them. We agreed to pay the amount the agency asked for, but we have yet to receive any response from them.
“We are already very poor and struggling, and now these people are scamming us,” lamented a mother who, along with others, fell victim to a different foreign employment agency in Colombo. “We don’t have the energy to file complaints and waste any more time. We just hope that God will help us.’’
The Sunday Times contacted the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment to understand ways in which Sri Lankans can protect themselves from job scammers.
Additional General Manager R.K.K.M.P. Randeniya said the main responsibility lies with Sri Lankans applying through these agencies. He emphasised the importance of people keeping their documents secure and not falling prey to scams merely on the promise of foreign jobs.
The bureau advises job seekers to check the names and numbers of agents on its website. He said a registered agency is a credible agency. “However, if there is no registration under our department, job seekers must decide whether to proceed with the agency or not.’’
There are rules and regulations. The moment they hear about foreign employment opportunities, they should check our official website, he said.
Mr. Randeniya said the bureau maintained a 24-hour hotline–1989–and is guided by the Foreign Employment Act of 1985 (Chapter 1985, No. 21), which clearly states that no person can engage in foreign employment activities without the approval of the bureau.
“The licence is issued for one year and is renewable. No individual or agency can operate without a valid licence; otherwise, they may face legal charges,’’ said Mr. Randeniya.
“Everything is laid out on our website. If they can easily apply for foreign employment through an agency, why can’t they take the extra step to confirm its authenticity? Mr. Randeniya asked.
“Why don’t they double-check? Investigations are underway by the police, so we cannot identify the agency or take immediate action. We remain vigilant and are committed to preventing people from being scammed.’’
When asked if any new regulations should be implemented, he said existing laws are adequate.
Mr. Randeniya recommended verifying the credibility of agencies through an online link: http://applications.slbfe.lk/feb/la/la_main.asp
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