In brief
Three Indians were reportedly tricked into a job scam that led to their disappearance in Iran, prompting an investigation.
The Iranian Embassy in India is currently probing the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of three Indian nationals in Tehran. The men, all hailing from Punjab, had a layover in Iran on May 1 while en route to Australia, where they were promised high-paying jobs by a travel agent. Their families claim the trio was abducted shortly after arrival, with kidnappers demanding a ransom of 5 million rupees (approximately $63,000). On Thursday, authorities from the Iranian Embassy stated via a post on X (formerly Twitter) that they are actively communicating with Indian officials regarding the situation and emphasized the risks associated with illegal immigration. They advised citizens to be wary of false claims from unauthorized agents or agencies purporting to offer international travel opportunities.This statement follows the complaints made by the Indian Embassy in Iran, which has urged Iranian authorities to expedite the search and ensure the safety of the missing individuals. Many individuals from Punjab seek better job prospects abroad, becoming vulnerable to fraudulent travel agencies that demand exorbitant fees for unsafe migration paths, often leading to legal complications.Gurdeep Kaur, the mother of one of the missing men, 23-year-old Amritpal Singh, shared her harrowing experience. The family entrusted a travel agent in Hoshiarpur to secure an Australian work permit for Amritpal, who was informed last month that his visa had been approved. However, upon arrival at the airport, he was told that his travel documents were not ready, leading to a chaotic series of events. After a safe initial call, Amritpal soon contacted his mother to report a kidnapping, with the call abruptly ending.Following attempts to reach the agents who had vanished, the family started receiving video calls from the captors, showcasing the three men, who appeared to have been beaten, and demanding a ransom that initially amounted to 20 million rupees before being negotiated down.Despite the desperate situation, the family has not yet paid the ransom. Following their disappearance, a police report has been lodged against the involved travel agents, prompting ongoing investigations, according to Hoshiarpur police officer Gursahib Singh.Meanwhile, in Dhuri village, the family home of Husanpreet Singh, one of the other missing individuals, stands deserted as his grandmother searches for assistance from relatives. The Indian Embassy in Tehran commits to keeping the families updated on the situation.In light of recent events, India has intensified efforts to tackle illegal immigration and the role of unscrupulous travel agents, which has been a pressing issue following reports of undocumented Indian migrants being deported from various countries.
