Promise Israel Job Fake Flight Booking Kerala Man Win Rs 5 8 Lakh

A Kerala consumer body has directed two overseas employment agents to pay at least Rs 5.8 lakh to a man after they allegedly promised him a job in Israel, repeatedly postponed his travel and even gave him a fake flight reservation, noting that even after the Israel conflict broke out in October 2023, fresh travel dates were given to him.

President S K Sreela and member Stanly Harold of the Kollam District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission observed that the overseas employment agents’ failure to appear before it showed that they had failed to discharge even the minimum obligation of accountability expected from a service provider.

“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,” the August 18 order said. “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,” it added.

A man approached two overseas employment agents in 2022 after they promised to arrange a job for him in Israel within three months to one year, including visa, documentation and travel. Relying on their assurances, he paid Rs 3.70 lakh towards placement and other services.

He alleged that during 2022 and 2023, the agents gave him several dates, but repeatedly postponed or cancelled them, often at the last minute. In July 2023, they allegedly provided a flight reservation confirmation, which he later claimed was fake, stating that no genuine booking was made.

After the Israel conflict began in October 2023, the agents allegedly continued giving him fresh dates. Eventually, they stopped responding to his calls and messages, and neither arranged the promised employment nor refunded the money, he claimed. Later, the man approached the commission.

He alleged that the agents committed deficiency in service and unfair trade practice by taking 3.70 lakh for overseas employment but failed to provide him the promised job or visa and travel arrangements. He also alleged that a fake flight reservation was provided to make it appear that his travel arrangements were progressing.

He sought a refund of Rs 3.7 lakh, along with compensation for financial loss, mental agony and harassment, and litigation costs. The agent did not appear before the commission or file any response, and the case proceeded without hearing their side.

The commission observed that repeatedly giving the complainant departure dates, asking him to prepare for travel and cancelling the plans at the last moment would have caused “considerable anxiety, frustration and humiliation”, with the uncertainty continuing for years.

It held the two opposite parties jointly and severally liable and ordered them to refund Rs 3.70 lakh with 9 per cent annual interest from the respective payment dates, besides Rs 2 lakh compensation for mental agony, harassment and hardship and Rs 10,000 litigation costs. The total amount awarded, excluding interest, added up to Rs 5.80 lakh.

The ruling highlights that consumer protection cannot become an empty remedy if service providers are permitted to collect substantial amounts by making attractive promises, keep consumers waiting through repeated assurances, fail to render the promised service, retain the consumer’s money and simply disappear later when called upon to account for their conduct.

For consumer-related grievances, individuals may contact the consumer helpline in their respective states and Union territories (Kerala: 1800-425-1550) or call the National Consumer Helpline at 1915 for assistance.

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Somya Panwar is a legal journalist at The Indian Express (Digital), where she covers the various High Courts across the country and the Supreme Court of India. Her writing is driven by a deep interest in how law influences society, particularly in areas of gender, feminism, and women’s rights. She is especially drawn to stories that examine questions of equality, autonomy, and social justice through the lens of the courts. Her work aims to make complex legal developments accessible, contextual, and relevant to everyday readers, with a focus on explaining what court decisions mean beyond legal jargon and how they shape public life. Alongside reporting, she manages the social media presence for Indian Express Legal, where she designs and curates posts using her understanding of digital trends, audience behaviour, and visual communication. Combining legal insight with strategic content design, she works on building engagement and expanding the desk’s digital reach. Somya holds a B.A. LL.B and a Master’s degree in Journalism. Before moving fully into media, she gained experience in litigation and briefly worked in corporate, giving her reporting a strong foundation. ... Read More