27 complaints since 2021, largely involving illegal agents
PANAJI
Promises of jobs overseas in the United States, Israel or Poland have, year after year, turned into allegations of fraud in Goa, with new figures presented in the just-concluded Budget session of the Legislative Assembly showing not only a steady flow of complaints but also most cases that are pending trial.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s reply, tabled in response to a starred question by MLA Aleixo Lourenco, stated that emigrants and their families have filed complaints across police stations alleging cheating on the pretext of overseas employment in the United States, Israel, Thailand, Poland and the Cayman Islands. Of the 27 cases, all except one involve illegal agents.
In 2021, one case of alleged trafficking and cheating was registered by the Crime Branch (CB).
In 2022, three separate complaints were filed at the Margao, Anjuna and Mapusa police stations (PS), each involving promises of overseas employment. While one case was closed as ‘A Final’, the other two are pending investigation and trial. Police invoked cheating charges under the IPC along with provisions of the Information Technology Act and the Emigration Act.
The trend continued in 2023, with cases in Margao and Old Goa PS involving job offers in Israel and other foreign destinations, most of which are pending trial.
A sharp rise was visible in 2024, with at least six complaints registered, including cases handled by the CB and police stations in Maina Curtorim, Margao and Calangute. Victims reported being duped with promises of jobs in the United States, Thailand and the Cayman Islands.
The highest number of complaints was in 2025, when at least a dozen cases were registered, largely by the CB. These included allegations of cheating, forgery and organised fraud under both IPC provisions and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. While two cases reached ‘C Final’, most are under investigation.
In 2026, up to January 31, two fresh complaints were registered in Mormugao and Valpoi, including a case involving a promised job in Poland. Both are under investigation.
The State government said it has taken several steps, in coordination with the Centre, to curb illegal recruitment, including monitoring recruitment agencies under the Emigration Act, 1983, registering criminal cases against illegal agents, and maintaining surveillance to detect fraudulent activities.
Authorities have also sought to raise public awareness, with police publicising arrests and urging citizens to rely only on authorised agencies listed by the Ministry of External Affairs. Training sessions have been conducted for investigating officers in collaboration with the Protector of Emigrants to strengthen enforcement and promote safe, legal migration.
