PANAJI
The Crime Branch (CB) team arrested two persons, Sayyed Abdullah Sheikh, a resident of Vasco and Mastan Khan alias Pathan, from Margao, for allegedly posing as overseas recruitment agents and duping 12 Indian women including Goans of jobs in Muscat.
The duo's arrest was possible after a self rescued victim lodged a complaint with the help of NGO ARZ.
At a press conference today, SP CB Rahul Gupta said the victim was sent to Muscat on the pretext of a housemaid job only to be sexually exploited by one Sheikh and deprived of proper food and accommodation.
"The woman managed to contact her family, who arranged her return to India. She booked a return ticket and narrated the ordeal to the NGO and the CB subsequently. She revealed that 11 other women from different parts of India were also trafficked and are trapped in similar conditions there," Gupta said.
Investigation so far further revealed that the two illegal agents charged each victim Rs 35,000 for the job. The CB will now contact the Indian Embassy in Oman, through the Minister of Home Affairs, to bring back the remaining 11 women.
In the wake of this case, the CB will inspect all recruitment agencies across Goa, both legal and illegal, to act accordingly. Gupta urged the public to ensure that they use verified recruitment agents and to always confirm their visa types and employment contracts before accepting overseas employment.
