Lucknow | 26 November 2025: A major employment scam has surfaced in Lucknow, where a city-based manpower agency allegedly defrauded job seekers by promising them lucrative placements in Russia and Singapore. The accused firm, Chinar Travel & Trade Link (Manpower Service Agency), is reported to have collected nearly ₹66 lakh from 33 applicants, before vanishing without delivering visas, tickets or job offers.
The fraud came to light when the victims reached airports in Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai for their scheduled international departures—only to find that their tickets had been cancelled. The case has been registered on the complaint of Aash Mohammad, a resident of Patepur, following instructions from DCP East Shashank Singh, who ordered immediate investigation.
₹2 lakh per person for ‘guaranteed placement’ abroad
According to complainant Aash Mohammad, he approached the agency some weeks ago after learning that it facilitated overseas employment. The company staff assured him that job placements in Russia and Singapore were “confirmed” and promised high salaries along with safe working conditions.
For the process, the agency allegedly demanded ₹2 lakh per applicant along with their passports. Believing the claims, Aash handed over the amount and also encouraged 32 others from his network to apply. All of them deposited the required fee and documents with the agency.
The victims were told that within a few weeks, the agency would provide visas, confirmed flight tickets and joining documents.
Shock at the airport: ‘Your tickets have been cancelled’
The applicants were instructed to report at the respective airports on specific dates. But upon reaching the airline counters, they were informed that their tickets had already been cancelled and that no active bookings existed in their names.
Shocked and confused, the victims attempted to call the agency—however, no one responded. When they reached the company’s office in Lucknow’s Vibhutikhand area, they found it locked, with no staff in sight. This confirmed their suspicion that they had been systematically duped.
Victims rush to police; office sealed, investigation begins
Realising the scale of the fraud, Aash Mohammad and the others approached the DCP and filed a complaint. Police registered an FIR and initiated a probe into the financial operations and background of the agency. Aash stated:
“They assured us that visas and tickets were ready and that our jobs abroad were confirmed. At the airport we discovered everything was fake. Our savings, our hope everything was cheated.”
33 victims identified; police verifying complete list
Police have recorded the statements of all 33 victims, which include residents from multiple districts. Among those defrauded are Abid Ali, Nagendra Kumar, Ramvachan, Harinder, Samarjeet, Saddam, Umar, Shah Alam, Angad, Armaan, Suraj Singh, Ashok, Santosh, Hakimullah, Faizan, Shamsad, Juved, Sonu Kumar, Rajkumar, Vikas, Shivank, Sonu Ansari, Sikandar, Neeraj, Motiullah, and several others.
Victims allege that the agency collected money under various heads—processing fee, medical check-up charges, visa support fee and ticketing costs—yet failed to provide any legitimate documentation.
Police probe: financial trail, staff identity and possible racketeering
The investigating officer at Vibhutikhand police station said:
“We are examining all financial transactions and verifying the company’s registration status. The owners and staff members are being traced. Action will be taken based on evidence.”
Police are also exploring whether the accused agency is linked to a larger fake overseas employment network, which has been active in several states.
Rising cases of overseas job fraud; authorities issue caution
Law enforcement agencies note a sharp rise in recent years in frauds linked to jobs in Russia, Gulf nations, Malaysia and Singapore. Many unregistered recruitment firms operate without authorised licences, government approvals, or valid international placement permits. Such agencies often lure job seekers with promises of high salaries, show fabricated tickets and visas, and then disappear after collecting hefty sums.
