Indian job-seekers stranded in UAE eagerly wait to return home as money runs out
Dubai: Several Indian job-seekers stranded in the UAE due to travel restrictions amid the coronavirus outbreak are running out of money and desperately want to return home, according to a media report.
Shahanad Pulukkool, 26, a driver from Kannoor district of Kerala, whose visit visa expired on April 1, said he is staying with four others in a one-bedroom apartment in Hor Al Anz, the Gulf news reported.
My brother is leasing the apartment. Owing to the unusual situation we are all in, four others have joined us in the apartment. My brother who works as a driver is taking care of us, he said.
Pulukkool said he came here looking for a job as a driver, but to no avail. I just want to go home now. I don't want to be a burden on my brother, the paper quoted him as saying.
Pulukkool is among several other Indians who came to the UAE to seek employment and now eagerly waiting to return home as they are living off the generosity of Good Samaritans with little or no money left with them.
Shaukat Ali, 29, also from Kannoor district in Kerala who also lives with Pulukkool and his brother said had been shortlisted for a job but due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the company put hiring on hold.
"My visa expires in May end but I see no point in staying here. I am embarrassed to live off someone and want to go back, Ali said.
Mahesh Purwa, 30, who is worried about his situation. His visit visa expired on March 30 and he as scheduled to fly out of the UAE on March 25.
I heard the overstay fines will be waived off, but I would rather be back in my home country now. Purwa is staying with a friend, but he says he does not want to be a burden on him for long. Musaddique M, 27, also from Kerala, said he wants to return home as he sees no point waiting around and looking for a job.
According to travel agents and social workers, there are several more such stranded visitors in the UAE, the paper said. Saifuddin Chappan of Travel House said the company is also receiving calls every day from people asking when the rules will change.
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Mangaluru contractor loses Rs 15 lakh to scammers
Mangaluru, May 5: A con artist, impersonating a CBI officer, defrauded a contractor in Mangaluru of over Rs 15 lakh by falsely claiming to file a case against him, police said on Sunday.
The victim, a resident of Kottara, was ensnared in this elaborate scam after receiving a distressing call on April 25, they said.
The caller, posing as a CBI official, alleged that threatening calls had originated from the victim's mobile number, coupled with rumors of financial misconduct, police said.
Claiming a case had been registered with the Mumbai CBI office, the imposter threatened to suspend the victim's mobile number unless immediate action was taken, a senior police officer said.
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The situation intensified when the call was transferred to another individual, purportedly a senior CBI officer, who exploited the victim's fear by warning of dire consequences, including the confiscation of bank accounts for alleged misappropriation of funds, he said.
To ostensibly clear his name from the fabricated case, the victim was coerced into transferring Rs 2.99 lakh to a designated account, the officer added.
According to the CEN Police, the victim, trapped in a web of deceit, later received a ‘formal notice’ from the impostor, offering a chance to absolve himself from the fictitious charges by complying with further demands. Succumbing to pressure, the contractor made additional transfers totalling Rs 15,01,049 as instructed by the fraudsters.
Realising that he had fallen victim to a scam, the contractor lodged a formal complaint with the cyber police on May 3, initiating an investigation into the fraudulent activities, police said.
