Mangaluru: Youths allege overseas job scam, cheated of lakhs; complaint filed

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, December 19, 2025: Several youths have lodged complaints at the Bajpe and Kadri police stations alleging that they were cheated of lakhs of rupees after being lured with promises of high-paying jobs abroad. The accused allegedly promised jobs with a salary of ₹1.5 lakh per month, took large sums of money, and took the victims to the poor country of Armenia, where no jobs were provided.

The complainants — Manjunath Naik of Edapadavu, Umesh of B.C. Road, and Gagan of Yeyyadi — alleged that Rakesh Rai of Ganjimath Manel, Bhushan Kulal of Yeyyadi, and Antony Preetham Garodi cheated more than 30 youths in a similar manner. The three complainants returned to India on December 4 after escaping from their ordeal in Armenia.

Manjunath Naik said he had known Rakesh Rai earlier. About six months ago, Rakesh told him that there were job opportunities in the Gulf and later claimed he could arrange employment with an American company. He assured him that there was no agency involved, that visas would be arranged, and that the salary would be paid in euros, amounting to about ₹1.5 lakh per month in Indian currency.

Trusting these assurances, Manjunath pledged his mother’s and relatives’ gold ornaments and paid ₹2.40 lakh. He was sent a visa, and when he questioned why it was a tourist visa, he was told that it was temporary and that a work visa would be arranged after arrival. Accordingly, Manjunath travelled to Armenia via Dubai on October 8.

Upon arrival, Rakesh, Bhushan, and Antony Preetham picked him up and dropped him at a room. When he enquired about the job, they asked him to wait for a few days, claiming they were in talks with the company. However, even after a week, no job was provided. He later realised that many youths from Mangaluru and surrounding areas were staying in the same room. After two weeks, 12 more youths joined them.

Manjunath said Armenia was extremely poor, with no basic facilities or companies. The weather was harsh, with snowfall at night, making it difficult to survive. Essential items and vegetables were very expensive, and most produce had to be imported from India. Within a week, they began struggling even for food, while the accused reportedly lived comfortably and showed no concern for the victims.

Left with no options, the youths were forced to do daily-wage labour such as carrying cement and stones and cleaning toilets, just to survive. Communication was difficult as locals spoke only the local language and not English. Using Google Translate, they learnt that even locals migrated to other countries for work and that there were virtually no companies or industries there.

More than 25 youths are reportedly still suffering in similar conditions in Armenia. Each of them had paid between ₹2 lakh and ₹3 lakh, with some paying up to ₹4 lakh. Many had borrowed money and were hesitant to inform their families. Manjunath said that with the help of Vishwa Hindu Parishad members, the three of them managed to raise money again by pledging gold to book return tickets and come back home.

Manjunath said he had earlier been working as an area in-charge executive at a chocolate company in Mangaluru, earning about ₹40,000 per month. Hoping to clear his debts with a higher salary, he opted for the overseas job. However, the tourist visa allowed him to stay only 21 days, but as they overstayed by three months, they were fined ₹50,000 each for illegal immigration. Unable to pay the fine, they were made to give a written undertaking that they would never return. He said they have also been banned, which could affect their chances of travelling to other countries in the future.

The accused had promised them warehouse in-charge positions with good pay and repeatedly convinced them over phone calls. Manjunath alleged that Rakesh, Bhushan, and Antony Preetham are no longer in Armenia and are currently staying in Dubai, where they have no jobs and are allegedly enjoying themselves with the money collected from the victims.