Manpower Agent Arrested for Fraudulently Charging NPR 300,000 Under ‘Free Visa Free Ticket’ Scheme

June 16, Kathmandu – Ajay Kumar Yadav from Saptari was scheduled to fly to Malaysia as a security guard on May 12 under the government’s ‘free visa free ticket’ policy. According to the official policy, a manpower company should charge no more than NPR 10,000, but Yadav had already paid NPR 70,000 in cash during the processing.

However, the manpower firm ‘Grand Sweet Job’ located in Koteshwor demanded NPR 300,000, refusing any amount less than that. As a result, Yadav’s dream of going to Malaysia was delayed, despite the employer company already having sent his visa and flight ticket. He could not proceed without paying the additional sum.

After the manpower company assured him on June 16 that they would facilitate his departure if he paid the outstanding NPR 220,000, Yadav managed to gather the funds and returned to Kathmandu by night bus early Saturday morning.

On Saturday morning, an employee of the manpower company called Yadav, stating they had his passport and other documents, and instructed him to bring the payment near the petrol pump in Gairigaun, Sankhu.

Yadav had previously reported his difficulties to the Secretariat of Minister for Youth, Labour and Employment Ramjee Yadav, whose electoral constituency he belongs to.

To resolve the case, Minister Yadav’s private secretary, Saroj Yadav, took active involvement. They met at the Sankhu Police Station with several media personnel present, where a discussion occurred between the manpower employee and Yadav in the presence of police officers.

The manpower staff initially demanded money from Yadav. When he insisted on receiving his passport and documents first, a dispute arose. The police immediately detained the employees.

The employees admitted to attempting to collect NPR 300,000 despite the official charge being only NPR 10,000 under the ‘free visa free ticket’ scheme. The Sankhu Police subsequently took the suspects to the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office.

At the time of detention, four passports, flight tickets, and other important documents were seized from the employees. It emerged that they planned to collect funds from multiple individuals before handing over documents.

The Ministry confirmed that this case exposed how ordinary workers are exploited through fraudulent practices in foreign employment, violating the ‘free visa free ticket’ regulation and extorting large sums from migrants.

Saroj Yadav, Secretary to Minister Ramjee Yadav, stated, “Today we saved a common Nepali from fraud in Gairigaun, Sankhu. We extend heartfelt thanks to the police officers who cooperated in this special operation.”

Ajay was set to work as a security guard in Malaysia and had completed all procedures through a manpower branch in Jhapa.

Although the government-set official fee was only NPR 10,000, the manpower company demanded NPR 310,000 from Yadav. Initially they promised a discount, settling on NPR 300,000.

Despite having paid NPR 70,000 upfront for the ticket and related processes, Yadav was held hostage by the company, which refused to release his passport, labor approval, and air ticket until the full amount was paid.

When questioned by police about demanding NPR 300,000 in a country with a ‘free visa free ticket’ policy, the detained agents remained silent.

Thanks to police intervention, Yadav’s passport, labor approval, insurance, and airline ticket were recovered and returned, confirming his ability to travel to Malaysia.

Yadav appealed: “The manpower company initially said there would be no fees and that everything would be arranged after passing the interview. But after receiving the visa, they threatened me I wouldn’t be allowed to leave without paying NPR 300,000. Poor people like me have to take loans to get this money. Those who exploit like this should face harsh penalties.”

The Secretariat of Minister Ramjee Yadav has urged anyone facing issues in foreign employment to contact the Ministry of Labour directly. Police investigations are ongoing for further legal action against the arrested agents.