Thomas Gabriel Perera, an Indian man shot dead by Jordanian security forces while attempting to illegally cross into Israel, was reportedly misled by an employment scam. His family claims he sought work after being promised a lucrative job. This incident underscores the increasing risk faced by Indian citizens who are duped into pursuing opportunities that often lead to dangerous situations.
Family Claims Indian Man Killed in Jordan Was a Victim of Job Scam
Family Claims Indian Man Killed in Jordan Was a Victim of Job Scam
The tragic case highlights the dangers of employment scams that lure Indian workers abroad with false job promises, ultimately resulting in deadly consequences.
The family of Thomas Gabriel Perera, an Indian who was shot dead by Jordanian security forces while attempting to illegally cross into Israel, claims he fell victim to a job scam. The 47-year-old's family revealed to the BBC that he was promised a high-paying job in Jordan, which led to his ill-fated journey resulting in his death on February 10. According to his relatives, upon arriving in Jordan, Perera and his brother-in-law, Edison Charlas, discovered that the job offers had been false, forcing them to consider illegal entry into Israel in search of work.
The two men, hailing from Kerala and working as auto-rickshaw drivers, were misled by an agent who enticed them with the prospect of earning sizable salaries—350,000 rupees (about $4,000) monthly. Mr. Charlas recounted that he paid a total of 210,000 rupees to the agent, alongside an additional $600 upon arrival in Jordan, only to learn that no jobs existed.
On the fateful night of February 10, while attempting to cross into Israel under cover of darkness, Charlas stated they were shot at without any warning following what was described as a long trek from their vehicle to the border. The Indian embassy in Jordan issued a statement asserting that the security forces had issued warnings before firing, but Charlas disputed this account, claiming that the guards had acted without provocation.
After the incident, Charlas was hospitalized before spending two weeks in prison and was ultimately deported back to India under dire circumstances. Meanwhile, the Indian foreign ministry has been working to repatriate Perera's body from Jordan; local authorities in India have begun the process.
Shashi Tharoor, a representative of Perera's constituency, stated that the Indian embassy had confirmed the victim's identity and initiated the transportation process for his remains. This incident sheds light on the increasing trend of Indians falling prey to employment scams, pushing them towards illegal immigration. Experts criticize ongoing advisory warnings from the Indian government that remain unheeded by many aspiring overseas workers, highlighting the desperate need for better awareness programs and assistance for those seeking better wages abroad.
