What to do if you've already paid a fraudulent agent

If you suspect the agent you paid is fraudulent, act quickly and in this order. Speed matters — money is easiest to trace and freeze soon after it moves.

1. Stop paying immediately

Fraudulent agents often extract money in stages: registration fee, then “visa fee”, then “ticket money”, then a final “clearance charge”. Each payment is used to justify the next. Do not pay anything further to “complete the process” or “release” earlier payments.

2. Gather every piece of evidence

Collect and back up (photograph or screenshot everything):

• Receipts, payment screenshots, bank/UPI transaction records,
• The agent’s visiting card, office address, phone numbers, WhatsApp chats,
• Job offers, admission letters, visa copies, contracts — even if fake, they are evidence,
• Names and contact details of other victims, if you know any. Group complaints are taken more seriously and are harder to ignore.

3. Complain to the police

File a written complaint at your local police station. In Kerala you can also approach the district police’s dedicated NRI/emigration cell where one exists. If money moved through bank accounts or UPI, also report on the National Cyber Crime Portal (cybercrime.gov.in or call 1930) — this can trigger a freeze on the receiving account, which is often the only realistic path to getting money back.

4. Complain through official emigration channels

• Register a grievance on eMigrate / MADAD (madad.gov.in) — this reaches the Ministry of External Affairs and the Protector of Emigrants.
• If the agent holds an RA licence, complain to the Protector of Emigrants (POE) office — a proven complaint can lead to licence suspension.
• In Kerala, NORKA Roots (helpline 1800 425 3939) assists emigrants and can guide you on next steps.

5. Consider a consumer complaint

If the agent operated as a business and failed to deliver a promised service, a complaint in the consumer disputes forum is possible alongside the police complaint, and has ordered refunds in past cases.

6. Warn others

Report the agent on this site with whatever details you have. Your report is reviewed before publication and can prevent the next family from paying the same person.

Be realistic: full recovery is not guaranteed, and “recovery agents” who promise to get your money back for another fee are very often a second scam aimed at the same victims.