Indict Swindlers

Bini Dahal

With people being unable to find good opportunities within the country, going abroad has now become an increasingly common tendency in Nepal. Nearly every household has at least a family member or a relative who has migrated abroad for education or in search of a job. While this trend continues, it is not surprising to see how fraudulent activities are going up, too.

When it comes to foreign migration, it is natural for individuals to seek a medium to get to a certain destination. The medium can be both formal and informal. And it is widely held that the informal medium of foreign migration can be very risky. 

In the past few days, incidences of swindling hit the news headlines. One of the news reports was about an individual who had swindled people off hundreds and thousands in the name of sending them to the United States and South Korea. Another news item described how a man had taken people into confidence and had faked that they would be able to get a high-paying job in Israel. The Nepali media reported one more news that elaborated on how tricksters sold the American dream to people. The charlatans had guaranteed that they would arrange the necessary documents that would establish their identity as Bhutanese refugees. These incidents are just the tip of the iceberg and we have many such cases right in front of us. 

Why are innocent people falling prey to swindlers? The answer lies in the helplessness of the people. They somehow want to reach a destination and it could be just anywhere. On top of that, people are completely unaware that the same family members, friends or even acquaintances could create many problems for them just to make money.

Foreign employment is quite expensive. It is not that difficult for an individual belonging to a well-to-do family to make arrangements for this. But that is not the case for poor people. The financially weak take loans with much aspiration and assurance that they will easily reach abroad. But there are high chances of being cheated and their aspirations being shattered. These kinds of fraudulent activities push families into further poverty and vulnerability.

After these incidents take place, the victims reach out to the police and file complaints. But our legal system does not slap stringent punishment on the perpetrators. This is why the swindlers can get out of jail within a short period of time and there is no guarantee that those cheated will receive all their money back. This way these ruthless persons are destroying the lives and the future of many susceptible people. Such individuals have no other choice but to believe the sugar-coated words of others. 

Therefore, the formal channel of foreign employment has to be strengthened and prioritised at all costs. The police and other concerned authorities such as the Foreign Employment Department should be proactive in their campaign to raise awareness on the same. There should be proper coordination and collaboration among the relevant government bodies so that swindlers can be indicted and the grievances of the victims be addressed immediately. 

Another important point is to identify the group or network of fakers and stop them from making any kind of move that can create more victims. Likewise, the law enforcement agencies must not take this matter lightly. Stricter punishment and consistent monitoring from the side of the authorities can discourage the swindlers. This can also discourage those who wrongly see the scope of this devious business.