The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has issued an advisory, urging Indian citizens to exercise extreme caution when traveling to Iran. This comes in the wake of a series of incidents involving Indian nationals who were lured to Tehran with false promises of employment and subsequently kidnapped by criminal gangs.
The advisory emphasizes the importance of being wary of fraudulent job offers and highlights the serious risks of falling prey to such schemes.
“There have been a number of recent cases involving Indian citizens who have been lured to travel to Iran on false promises of employment, or with assurances that they would be sent further to third countries for employment,” the MEA said in a statement.
Upon arrival, these individuals were kidnapped by criminal gangs, who then demanded ransom payments from their families to secure their release.
“Upon reaching Iran, these Indian nationals have been kidnapped by criminal gangs and ransoms have been demanded from their families for securing their release,” the advisory added.
The MEA strongly cautioned Indian citizens against falling for such deceptive employment offers and reiterated that visa-free entry to Iran is permitted only for tourism purposes.
“All Indian citizens are strongly cautioned to exercise the strictest vigilance regarding such employment promises or offers. In particular, it may be noted that the Government of Iran allows visa-free entry to Indians only for tourism purposes.”
The advisory also warned that agents promising visa-free entry for work or onward travel may be working in collusion with criminal networks.
“Any agents promising visa-free entry into Iran for employment or other purposes may well be in connivance with criminal gangs. Indian citizens are therefore advised not to fall prey to such offers,” it stated.