In a tragic incident, an Indian man identified as Thomas Gabriel Perera was reportedly shot dead by Jordanian soldiers last month while attempting to illegally cross into Israel. According to a BBC report, Perera was deceived by a fraudulent job scam that lured him to Jordan with the promise of high-paying employment.
How Did the Fraudsters Deceive Perera?
Perera, a resident of Kerala, traveled to Jordan on February 10 on a visitor visa, along with his brother-in-law Edison Charlas. The duo was promised a lucrative job with a monthly salary of ₹3.5 lakh. However, upon arriving in Amman, Jordan, they realized they had fallen into a scam, as no jobs were available.
Perera and Charlas had already paid an agent ₹2.1 lakh before leaving India and an additional $600 (₹52,289) after reaching Jordan. Once they discovered the fraud, the agent misled them into believing that Israel had better job opportunities and advised them to illegally enter the country.
Fatal Shooting at the Border
On February 10, while attempting to cross the border into Israel, both Perera and Charlas were fired upon by Jordanian soldiers. Perera was fatally shot and died on the spot, while Charlas sustained injuries but survived. After receiving medical treatment, Charlas was sent back to India.
Indian Embassy in Jordan Responds
Following the incident, the Indian Embassy in Jordan released an official statement on X (formerly Twitter), confirming Perera’s death and extending support to his family.
“The Embassy has learnt of the sad demise of an Indian national in unfortunate circumstances. The Embassy is in touch with the family of the deceased and is working closely with Jordanian authorities for transportation of mortal remains of the deceased.”
Both Perera and Charlas hailed from Kerala and worked as auto-rickshaw drivers before falling prey to the illegal job racket.
Rising Job Scams Targeting Indian Migrants
This incident highlights the increasing number of fraudulent job scams that target Indian workers seeking employment abroad. Several illegal agents lure people with fake job offers in Gulf countries and beyond, often leading to trafficking, exploitation, or tragic consequences like this.
Government’s Warning on Illegal Immigration
Indian authorities have repeatedly warned job seekers against falling prey to illegal agents and advised them to verify all overseas job opportunities through official channels such as:
- The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)
- The Protector of Emigrants (PoE) offices
- Government-approved recruitment agencies
Perera’s death underscores the dangers of illegal immigration and the need for stronger action against job fraud networks operating in India and abroad.
