Overseas job scams in India: warning signs and what to do
Warning signs include an agent who is not on the eMigrate list of registered recruiting agents, payment demands with no receipt, fees above the legal limit, a guaranteed visa, and a job that would involve working on a visit visa. The Ministry of External Affairs warns that unregistered agents overcharge and that illegal recruitment can amount to human trafficking.
How can you tell if an overseas job offer is a scam?
Warning signs include an agent who is not on the eMigrate list of registered recruiting agents, payment demands with no receipt, fees above the legal limit, a guaranteed visa, and a job that would involve working on a visit visa. The Ministry of External Affairs warns that unregistered agents overcharge and that illegal recruitment can amount to human trafficking.
Ten warning signs
The agent is not on the list of registered recruiting agents on eMigrate.
You are asked to pay in cash, or to pay without a receipt.
The agent guarantees a visa or a job, or promises "100% placement".
You are told to travel on a visit or tourist visa to take up a job. For ECR passport holders going to an ECR country for employment, emigration clearance is required.
There is no written offer, or the employer's name, address and contract cannot be verified.
The employment contract is not attested or uploaded where the rules require it, or the job in the contract differs from the job described to you.
You are pressured to pay quickly, or told the offer will disappear.
The agent asks you to pay for items the destination government says the employer pays, such as the work-permit approval fees and bank guarantee in the UAE.
You are asked to carry parcels, or to hand over your passport.
What the Ministry of External Affairs says
The Ministry has issued advisories about unregistered recruiting agents, fake job offers and overcharging. It states that illegal recruitment violates the Emigration Act, 1983, and that it can amount to human trafficking, a punishable criminal offence. It tells job seekers to check registration on eMigrate and to deal only with registered agents.
If you have been cheated or you are stuck abroad
Lodge a complaint with the office of the Protector General of Emigrants, or through the eMigrate system. See the list of Protector of Emigrants offices.
Contact the Indian Embassy or Consulate in the country concerned.
Register a grievance on the MADAD portal (madad.gov.in).
Call the Overseas Workers Resource Centre toll-free on 1800 11 3090, which the Ministry says operates round the clock.
Keep every message, receipt, contract and payment record as evidence.
Last reviewed 2026-10-06. Information only, not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check if an overseas agent is genuine?
Look the agent up in the list of registered recruiting agents on emigrate.gov.in, and match the name, address and registration number.
Is illegal overseas recruitment a crime?
The Ministry of External Affairs states that recruiting without registration violates the Emigration Act, 1983, and can amount to human trafficking, which is a punishable offence.
Who do I call if I am cheated by an agent?
The Protector General of Emigrants, the Indian mission, the MADAD portal, or the OWRC toll-free on 1800 11 3090.