ISLAMABAD: The Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment (BEOE) has warned Pakistanis seeking jobs abroad against fraudulent employment offers linked to organised human trafficking and forced online fraud networks operating in parts of Southeast Asia.
The warning comes amid the reported expansion of organised centres involved in human trafficking and forced online scams in countries including Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos.
According to an awareness message issued by the BEOE, criminal networks lure foreign nationals with attractive job offers for positions such as computer operators, call centre agents, customer service representatives, data-entry workers, digital marketers and IT staff.
The offers often promise unusually high salaries, free air tickets, accommodation, meals and easy visa arrangements. However, some victims are allegedly deprived of their passports and mobile phones after arriving at their destination and taken to heavily guarded compounds, where they are forced to carry out online fraud and other illegal activities.
According to the government advisory, victims may be forced to participate in fraudulent online investment and cryptocurrency schemes, romance and social media scams, fake call centres and customer-support operations, phishing, identity theft and impersonation of banks or government institutions.
Criminal networks may also use fake social media profiles to defraud victims. Those unable to meet financial targets can face threats, pressure and violence, while reports in some cases have alleged detention, deprivation of food, physical abuse, electric shocks and sexual exploitation.
The advisory also warns that escaping from such compounds can be extremely difficult. In some cases, victims may allegedly be sold from one criminal group to another, while their families can be asked to pay thousands of dollars in ransom for their release.
Authorities have advised prospective overseas workers to treat unusually high salaries, low qualification requirements and immediate hiring without an interview as potential warning signs.
Jobseekers have also been advised to be cautious of companies that have no verifiable office, address, legal registration or official website and communicate exclusively through WhatsApp, Telegram or social media.
The government has urged Pakistanis to verify a prospective employer’s legal registration, office address, website, contact details and ownership before travelling abroad.
Jobseekers should obtain a written employment contract and verify details including salary, nature of work, accommodation and place of employment.
Authorities have stressed that workers should travel only on a valid work visa and should not accept employment on a visit, tourist or business visa.
They have also advised prospective workers to use licensed Overseas Employment Promoters and obtain the required legal protection from the relevant Protector of Emigrants before departure.
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