Every year many people from India and other countries lose money to fake job and visa agents promising work in Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the rest of the Gulf. In October 2026 the Indian embassy in Abu Dhabi and the consulate in Dubai again warned about bogus agencies. Before you pay anyone or send any document, check these 10 warning signs.
10 warning signs of a fake Gulf job offer
1. They ask you to pay a person or a private bank account, UPI or crypto wallet for the job, the visa or a "processing fee".
2. The offer came only on WhatsApp, Facebook, Telegram or Instagram, with no proper company email.
3. The agent is not registered with the Government of India. You can check registered agents on emigrate.gov.in.
4. There is no proper offer letter with the company name, address, job title and salary.
5. The salary is much higher than normal for that job.
6. They tell you to travel on a visit or tourist visa and "change it to a work visa later".
7. They push you to pay or decide within a few days.
8. There was no real interview, or only a very short call.
9. They want your passport, fingerprints or bank details before any verified contract.
10. You cannot find the company online: no real website, office address or reviews.
How to check an offer properly
• Use only recruiting agents registered on emigrate.gov.in.
• Contact the company yourself using the phone or email on its official website, not the number the agent gave you.
• For a UAE job, the employer must get your work permit from MOHRE. Ask for the permit details and check with MOHRE.
• Never travel on a visit visa for a job promise. You can end up with no salary, no papers and no way home.
Free help line
The Government of India runs a 24/7 toll-free helpline for emigrants: 1800 11 3090 (from India). If you were cheated, also file a complaint on emigrate.gov.in.
In your language
Malayalam: ജോലിക്കോ വിസയ്ക്കോ വേണ്ടി ഒരു വ്യക്തിക്കും പണം നൽകരുത്. ഏജന്റ് emigrate.gov.in-ൽ രജിസ്റ്റർ ചെയ്തിട്ടുണ്ടോ എന്ന് പരിശോധിക്കുക. വിസിറ്റ് വിസയിൽ ജോലിക്ക് പോകരുത്.
Hindi: नौकरी या वीज़ा के लिए किसी व्यक्ति को पैसे न दें। एजेंट emigrate.gov.in पर रजिस्टर्ड है या नहीं, जाँचें। विज़िट वीज़ा पर नौकरी के लिए न जाएँ।
Got a real offer?
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Source: Indian embassy and consulate warnings (October 2026) and the Ministry of External Affairs guidance for intending emigrants. This post shows warning signs only and cannot prove an offer is real or fake. Always verify through official sources.