Home Ministry warns states of overseas job offer trafficking racket

The Union Home Ministry has warned of a "dangerous trend" in trafficking through overseas recruitment scams, directing states and Union Territories to launch a coordinated enforcement response. Victims are lured with high-paying job offers and trapped in cyber fraud centres, the advisory stated.

The ministry instructed state cyber cells to monitor social media and job portals for suspicious recruitment offers. States must establish verification mechanisms for local recruitment agencies, shut down unlicensed operators, and prosecute those facilitating illegal migration routes. Authorities should seize digital evidence and share information on hiring agencies with police and anti-human trafficking units.

The Home Ministry also urged states to strengthen Anti-Human Trafficking Units and involve local administrations, panchayats and digital platforms in awareness campaigns through the e-Migrate portal.