Taking a firm stance against fraudulent employment agencies luring job seekers with false overseas placement promises, a District Consumer Commission in Kerala has ordered two individuals to refund the complete sum collected from a victim along with interest. In addition to returning the principal amount, the forum mandated significant financial compensation to cover the distress, mental agony, and hardships inflicted on the applicant through years of false assurances and bogus flight bookings.
The Promise of Employment in Israel and Money Transfers
The case revolves around Joseph Manuel, a daily wage worker residing in Kerala, who sought foreign employment to support his family. In 2022, Joseph approached Reji C Varkey, owner of an agency named Bagel Holidays, and Preetha Alex. The duo assured Joseph that they possessed extensive experience and established channels for handling visa processing, documentation, travel arrangements, and job placements abroad. They explicitly promised him a confirmed job placement in Israel within a timeframe ranging from 3 to 12 months.
Relying on these assurances, Joseph paid a total sum of Rs 3.7 lakh towards processing, placement, and service charges. Financial records submitted before the forum confirmed that Rs 2.2 lakh was transferred directly into the bank account of Reji C Varkey, while Rs 1.5 lakh was credited to Preetha Alex's account. Commission records further revealed that initial installment payments of Rs 1 lakh and Rs 50,000 were deposited into the bank account of Preetha's daughter, Shilpa Mary.
Deceptive Flight Tickets and Repeated Cancellations
Following the receipt of funds, the accused embarked on a prolonged pattern of deception. Between 2022 and 2023, Reji and Preetha repeatedly provided Joseph with specific departure dates, even detailing flight departure times. However, on every occasion, the travel schedule was abruptly postponed or cancelled shortly before the scheduled date. This cycle of false promises continued over several months without any progress on the actual visa or employment status.
The deception escalated when the accused sent Joseph flight tickets, claiming that his flight reservation had been officially confirmed. Upon verification following yet another last-minute cancellation, Joseph discovered that the ticket was completely fake and no airline booking had ever been made in his name. Later, when conflict broke out in Israel in October 2023, the recruiters cited the regional instability as a fresh reason for delay, claiming it was difficult to secure placements. Despite this, they continued offering revised departure dates only to defer them repeatedly.
Legal Redressal and Ex-Parte Proceedings
Realizing he was being duped, Joseph personally visited the residences of both individuals to demand a refund. Although they offered another tentative date, the promise again went unfulfilled. Subsequently, both Reji and Preetha stopped responding to Joseph's phone calls and messages, refusing to return the money or provide employment. Left with no other alternative, Joseph approached the consumer commission seeking a full refund of his principal amount along with damages for harassment.
The commission issued formal notices to Reji C Varkey and Preetha Alex on 3 March 2026. Neither of the accused appeared before the forum nor did they submit any written response to the allegations. Consequently, on 17 June 2026, the commission decided to proceed ex-parte against both individuals.
Commission Findings and Verdict Details
The bench, comprising Commission President SK Sreela and Member Stanley Harold, examined the bank statements and evidentiary documents submitted by the complainant. The tribunal observed that the financial transactions stood fully verified and uncontradicted. The panel ruled that collecting substantial funds on the pretext of securing foreign employment and subsequently failing to provide services or refund money constituted a clear deficiency in service under Section 2(11) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, alongside unfair trade practices.
Highlighting that Joseph was a daily wage laborer who suffered severe anxiety, loss of valuable time, and financial strain, the commission held the respondents liable to restore his funds. The bench directed Reji C Varkey and Preetha Alex to refund the principal amount of Rs 3.7 lakh with 9 percent annual interest calculated from the respective dates of payment until full realization. Additionally, the commission awarded Rs 2 lakh as compensation for mental agony and financial hardship, alongside Rs 10,000 towards litigation costs. The respondents were directed to pay the amounts jointly and severally within 30 days of receiving the order copy, failing which Joseph remains entitled to institute execution proceedings under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
