KARACHI, June 2: Fake recruiting agencies have found soft targets in youths willing to go abroad in search of jobs due to the rising economic hardships in the country.

The rate of inflation is increasing in the country rapidly and the per capita income is deteriorating with the same speed. Due to this many of people want to leave the country for greener pastures.

A survey conducted here reveals that many of these people suffer great losses at the hands of impostors who rob of them of their money through bogus agencies and agents.

The number of such agencies and agents is mounting up. Haroon Rasheed, a school teacher in Korangi who fell victim to one such fraud, said that these agents appear honest and their appealing style makes people believe in them.

“I was given the addresses of those who, I was told, had gone abroad through their agency. A meeting was arranged with one of them. Convinced, I paid the first instalment of Rs50,000. There were several other persons with me. All of them paid the amount, but after a few weeks the agent vanished”, Haroon said.

Another victim, Muhammad Asif, resident of Pak Colony, said: “My friend told me he was going to Germany through an agency and had given all his documents to them along with Rs75,000. I expressed my desire to do the same and went with him to the office of that particular agency. I paid them the required amount and after the passing of one year, I am still waiting for my travel permit.

Naem, a resident of Nazimabad, said: “I have four sisters who are still unmarried because we can’t afford the dowry. I came in contact with an agent and persuaded my father to arrange Rs50,000 for me. He borrowed the amount from friends and relatives. Several years have passed and I remain where I was.

Abdul Haleem, living in Orangi Town, said: “I want to go to out of the country because of increasing inflation. It is quite difficult for me to provide for my family of eight besides my parents with a salary of Rs7000. I also wanted to save some money for my daughters. So I contacted an agency and am now facing more trouble than before.”

Another victim said he had arranged money by selling the gold ornaments of his mother and paid the money to an agent who had promised to take him to Dubai and who disappeared with the money.

The survey suggests that the government should take prompt action against these agencies and agents who are minting money by deceiving innocent people.—PPI