Russia-Based Employment Fraud Under Investigation, Accused Agent Arrested

Twenty young men and women from Gujarat's Anand and Vadodara districts are allegedly stranded in Russia after being sent abroad on the promise of jobs with monthly salaries ranging from ₹1 lakh to ₹1.5 lakh. The affected individuals claim they are now receiving far lower wages and are struggling to afford food and accommodation. According to Gujarat Police, a Petlad resident identified as Rimpal Kumar Patel allegedly sent 33 people to Russia on the pretext of arranging jobs in fish packing and tailoring. Police said he charged each individual between ₹2.10 lakh and ₹3 lakh for the arrangement, with the total amount collected estimated at around ₹78 lakh. The Anand Local Crime Branch (LCB) is investigating the case, and the accused has been arrested. Police said they are in regular contact with those in Russia and are working to ensure their safe return to India. A woman from Vadodara who is among those stranded released a video claiming that she and others were promised a monthly salary of ₹1.5 lakh. She said that after arriving in Russia, they worked full-time during the first month, but the women received only around ₹6,000 and the men about ₹10,000 in wages. The victims further alleged that they were told the jobs would involve routine tailoring and fish packing work, but after reaching Russia they were assigned different tasks and faced salary deductions. They claimed that the company with which they signed contracts confiscated their passports. When they expressed a desire to return to India, the company allegedly demanded a deposit of $500 per person and insisted that they bear their own airfare expenses. They also alleged that they were kept confined to their rooms, prevented from going outside, and denied adequate access to food and water. Gujarat Police, local authorities, and public representatives are working to secure the safe return of the stranded individuals. Investigators are also trying to identify other people who may be involved in the network that allegedly sends individuals abroad on the promise of employment.