1 week ago
Kerala Consumer Body Awards Rs 5.8 Lakh Over Fake Booking
A man in Kerala paid agents to help him get a job in Israel.
The agents promised to arrange his visa, travel and employment.
They kept giving him new travel dates and then cancelling them.
They also allegedly gave him a flight booking that was not real.
After the Israel conflict began in October 2023, the agents still gave him more travel dates.
Later, they stopped answering his calls and messages.
A consumer commission said the agents had not provided the promised service.
It ordered them to return his money and pay compensation, totaling Rs 5.8 lakh before interest.
Two overseas employment agents were ordered to pay a Kerala man at least Rs 5.8 lakh after failing to arrange a promised job in Israel.
The man paid Rs 3.70 lakh in 2022 for placement, visa, documentation and travel services.
The agents allegedly postponed travel repeatedly and provided a flight reservation in July 2023 that the man said was fake.
The Kollam District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission said the agents failed to provide the promised service and did not appear before it.
The commission ordered a refund with 9% annual interest, Rs 2 lakh compensation and Rs 10,000 in litigation costs.
- Who
- A Kerala man and two overseas employment agents; the Kollam District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission decided the complaint.
- What
- The commission ordered the agents to refund Rs 3.70 lakh with interest and pay compensation and litigation costs for failing to arrange promised employment and travel.
- Where
- The complaint was decided by the Kollam District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Kerala, India; the promised job was in Israel.
- When
- The man paid the agents in 2022; alleged delays occurred during 2022 and 2023, and the commission issued its order on August 18.
- Why
- The agents allegedly failed to arrange the promised job, visa and travel, repeatedly postponed departure and did not refund the payment.
Key facts
- Amount paid
- Rs 3.70 lakh
- Total award before interest
- Rs 5.80 lakh
- Interest
- 9% annually from the respective payment dates
- Mental agony and hardship compensation
- Rs 2 lakh
- Litigation costs
- Rs 10,000
- Promised destination
- Israel
- Consumer helplines
- National Consumer Helpline: 1915; Kerala consumer helpline: 1800-425-1550
Quotes
Kollam District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
The consumer commission that issued the ruling against the overseas employment agents.
“The complainant is consequently entitled to refund of the principal amount together with reasonable interest and compensation for the financial loss, mental agony and harassment suffered by him.”
indianexpress.com
“The opposite parties are jointly and severally liable for the amount received from the complainant and for the consequences arising from their failure to render the promised service.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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