Family Claims Indian Man Killed in Jordan Linked to Job Scam

Thomas Gabriel Perera was killed by Jordanian security while crossing into Israel, a tragic consequence of job-related scams that lure Indian workers abroad. His family highlights their ordeal as they navigate the aftermath of his death, which has drawn attention to the rising issue of illegal job-seeking by desperate migrant workers.

The family of an Indian man, Thomas Gabriel Perera, who was shot dead while attempting to illegally cross into Israel, asserts that he was a victim of a job scam. Perera was fatally shot by Jordanian security forces near the Israeli border on February 10, after being promised a lucrative job opportunity in Jordan that never materialized. When work options failed to present themselves, he sought to enter Israel on the advice of a deceptive agent, his relatives told the media.

At 47 years of age, Perera was accompanied by his brother-in-law, Edison Charlas, who was injured during the incident. Charlas, after being treated for his wounds, spent two weeks in detention before being sent back to India. The two men hailed from Kerala, where they made a living as auto-rickshaw drivers. The agent had promised them high-paying jobs that would earn them around 350,000 rupees (about $4,000 or £3,110) monthly.

Charlas reported to the media that he paid 210,000 rupees to the agent prior to their departure and an additional $600 after arriving in Jordan on a tourist visa. Upon landing in Amman earlier in February, the duo learned there were no job openings available. The agent suggested they attempt to cross illegally into Israel, promising abundant job prospects.

On February 10, Charlas and Perera were part of a group that made the perilous journey to the Jordan-Israel border. "We left at 2 PM and reached by midnight after a long car ride," said Charlas. "We then walked for several kilometers in the dark, and it was during this time that we were shot."

The BBC secured a letter from the Indian embassy in Jordan, stating that security forces had tried to stop the men, who did not heed warnings, leading to the guards opening fire. Perera was struck in the head and died instantly, according to this account. However, Charlas contested the embassy's description, claiming there were no warnings given before the shooting.

After being hospitalized for his injuries, Charlas was moved to various Jordanian government offices before being imprisoned for 18 days. During his incarceration, he managed to reach his wife, prompting her to contact Indian embassy officials, which eventually led to his return to India on February 28.

As Perera's family presses for the repatriation of his body, the Indian foreign ministry indicates that the process is underway. “It will take one or two days for the documentation to be completed,” said Randhir Jaiswal, a foreign ministry spokesperson. Indian officials confirm verification of Perera's identity has occurred and that transportation arrangements are being finalized.

The situation shines a sobering light on the increased prevalence of job scams affecting Indian nationals, who often resort to illegal methods to seek employment abroad despite persistent government warnings. Authorities stress the importance of caution and awareness about these schemes, which frequently draw vulnerable individuals into dangerous predicaments.