The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India, has issued a stern advisory urging Indian citizens to exercise the strictest vigilance when exploring job opportunities in Iran. This warning comes after alarming reports of Indian nationals being lured with fraudulent job offers, only to find themselves kidnapped and held for ransom upon arrival.
According to the MEA, several individuals have been misled by unscrupulous agents, who promised either direct employment in Iran or further passage to third countries. But once these individuals arrived, they were taken hostage by criminal syndicates, and their families were pressured to pay ransom money for their release.
The ministry has further clarified that Iran permits visa-free entry to Indian citizens strictly for tourism purposes only. Therefore, any employment-related entry without a visa is not only illegal but may be part of a coordinated criminal trap.
In a direct statement, the MEA said:
“Any agents promising visa-free entry into Iran for employment or other purposes may well be in connivance with criminal gangs.”
The ministry’s advisory emphasizes that no job opportunity is worth the risk of your life or freedom. Citizens are strongly urged to verify all job offers through official channels and to avoid dealings with unauthorized agents or offers that sound “too good to be true.”
