How to be safe from illegal travel agents........Gurjot Singh Kaler

The newspapers and television debate these days revolving around the problems and ordeals of youth being fleeced by illegal travel agents warrants a serious focus on examining the contentious issue in detail to devise effective solutions to the imbroglio. 

Innumerable youngsters from India, especially Punjab, are entangled in the complex nexus of illegal travel agents, money handlers, and human trafficking rackets.  

The lure of greener pastures combined with a lack of viable and dignified livelihood opportunities in Punjab and elsewhere in India seems to be one of the prime motivating factors behind today’s youth to press the panic button on their lives and migrate to foreign shores at any given available opportunity to them. 

Recently, the government of Canada discovered many students from Punjab who had applied for Permanent Residency (PR) in Canada without any valid legal documents.  

It was only after the intervention of the Government of India at the highest level that these hapless students were given a patient hearing by the Canadian authorities and their immediate deportation back to India was put on temporary hold pending the completion of the Canadian investigation processes into the entire immigration scandal.

 The students in question have alleged that they are innocent victims and they were duped by some unscrupulous travel agents from Punjab. The truth will be known only after the law takes its course.

 But the fact is that there are indeed a plethora of travel agents working in Punjab and the neighboring states who are adept in their notorious skills to cheat and defraud the students and young people who dream of entering the pristine environments of developed countries. 

The list of illegal travel agents recently exposed by Member of Parliament in India, Vikramjit Sahney, is a stark reminder of the deep routed nexus of these illegal travel agents who are hell-bent on making a quick buck at the expense of the lives of innocent young men and women without giving two hoots to the laws of the land.

 Many of these travel agents are operating without valid lawful licenses and this, in turn, also raises a deep question mark upon the integrity and efficiency of the law enforcement agencies. It seems impossible to fathom how these illegal travel agents have been able to thrive and operate successfully in Punjab even after duping tens of thousands of people across the state. 

Similarly, it is terrifying to note that innumerable young and poor middle-aged women from Punjab are also being lured with money and the prospect of decent living conditions to be obnoxiously deceived and trafficked to Arabian countries  like Oman, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kuwait, etc., for slavery. The gory details of the inhuman treatment meted out to these women reflect a sick mindset whereby they are forced to work in degrading and filthy conditions and are not given proper food or water to drink. 

Their passports are generally taken away by the criminal handlers and they are physically, mentally, and emotionally tortured if they resist any unethical orders of their controllers and masters. 

The Punjab Police appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate these interstate gangs of human traffickers with foreign collusion has already registered more than a dozen First Information Reports (FIRs) and conducted widespread raids across Delhi, Hyderabad, and other states. But still, the offenders remain at large and seem to giving vent to their nefarious agendas with daredevil impunity. 

While the law may take considerable time to catch up with these criminals who await proverbial justice, it is time to exercise self-caution and create mass awareness about these illegal travel agents so that our fellow brethren do not become a distraught victim at the mercy of these immoral agents.

To protect yourself from illegal travel agents in Punjab and elsewhere in India, here are some tips to follow: 

Research and verify: Before engaging with any travel agent, thoroughly research their reputation and legitimacy. Look for reviews, ratings, and testimonials from previous customers. 

 Check if the agent is registered and licensed with the appropriate authorities such as the Ministry of Tourism or relevant travel associations. Also, ensure that the travel agency does not have any criminal cases filed against them. 

Seek recommendations: Ask for recommendations from friends, family, or trusted acquaintances who have used travel services in Punjab. Personal referrals can often provide reliable insights into trustworthy agents. Check licenses and credentials: Ensure that the travel agent has the necessary licenses and credentials to operate legally.

  Ask for their registration number and verify it with the relevant regulatory bodies. Legitimate travel agents will be transparent and provide you with the required documentation. Scan their social media details and google them.

 Even if they have valid user ratings and look authentic on the internet, still double-check their identity by physically visiting their geographical premises. Reputable and trusted travel agents do not change the location of their offices after every fifteen days or a month.  

Face-to-face interaction: Whenever possible, meet the travel agent in person rather than relying solely on online or telephone communication. This allows you to establish a direct connection and evaluate their professionalism. 

Read and understand contracts: Carefully read all the terms and conditions outlined in the contract or agreement provided by the travel agent. Ensure that it includes all the promised services, costs, and cancellation policies. If anything seems unclear or suspicious, seek clarification before proceeding. 

Secure payment methods: Be cautious when making payments. Avoid paying large sums of money upfront or using untraceable methods such as cash or wire transfers. 

Instead, use secure payment methods like credit cards, which offer some level of protection against fraudulent activities. It's imperative to exercise due caution and be highly vigilant when dealing with travel agents, especially if they make suspicious claims or request large amounts of money upfront. 

 Always ask for proper documentation, receipts, and contracts when making travel arrangements, and consider using secure payment methods to protect your financial transactions. This will prove to be very useful in the case of any fraudulent activity by the travel agents and enable you to support your case in the matter of police investigation and court of law.  

Trust your instincts: If something feels off or too good to be true, trust your instincts. Be wary of travel agents who pressure you into making quick decisions, offer excessively low prices, or make unrealistic promises. Always take the advice of your close friends, family, and relatives before making any final decisions or depositing money with these travel agents. 

Report suspicious activities: If you encounter an illegal travel agent or suspect fraudulent activities, report the matter to the local police station and the appropriate tourism or consumer protection authorities. Provide them with all the relevant information and evidence to aid in their investigation. The concerned authorities also need to regularly update the list of banned travel agents and make them public on a periodical basis to generate mass awareness amongst the gullible youth.

 The Government of India should devise a technological app available for download on one’s phone through which the users can easily check-cum-verify the licenses, history, and validity of the travel agents.

 Above all, the law needs to be highly sensitive to the ordeals of the victims and take the strictest possible action against illegal travel agents. At our level, always remember that being vigilant, aware, and cautious while choosing a travel agent can help you avoid falling victim to illegal malpractices.

June 26, 2023