The Iranian Embassy in India confirmed it is examining the case of three Indian nationals who vanished in Tehran during a stopover while traveling to Australia, following promises of high-paying jobs from a local travel agent. The families assert that the men were abducted and are being held for ransom.
**Iran Probes Disappearance of Three Indian Nationals Amid Kidnapping Allegations**
**Iran Probes Disappearance of Three Indian Nationals Amid Kidnapping Allegations**
Iran's investigation into the mysterious disappearance of three Indian men has raised alarms over illegal immigration schemes, particularly from Punjab to Australia.
The men, all hailing from northern Punjab, located in India, landed in Tehran on May 1, 2023, while en route to Australia. Their families are in dismay as they seek answers amid reemerging fears about dubious immigration routes, particularly after they were allegedly kidnapped by unidentified individuals who now demand a ransom of 5 million rupees (approximately $63,000).
The Iranian Embassy issued a statement emphasizing the peril of unauthorized immigration endeavors and assured collaboration with Indian officials. The Indian Embassy echoed these concerns and demanded a swift response to locate the missing individuals.
Gurdeep Kaur, the mother of one of the missing men, 23-year-old Amritpal Singh, shared that their family was misled by a travel agency. The agent claimed they had successfully secured an Australian work visa for Amritpal, leading him to believe he would fly to Australia on April 26. However, multiple flight cancellations ensued, with the agent eventually rerouting him through Iran.
Following their arrival, Amritpal initially contacted his mother, sharing that they had reached safely in Tehran. Within an hour, however, the situation drastically shifted as he called again in distress, reporting they had been kidnapped. Subsequent efforts from the family to locate the travel agents yielded vague answers, after which they went missing, further complicating the situation.
The family's ordeal escalated with disturbing video calls purportedly from the kidnappers, showcasing the three men who had reportedly suffered physical abuse. The ransom demands fluctuated from an initial 20 million rupees to 5.4 million, but the family has yet to comply.
Local police are actively searching for the missing men, while the Indian embassy strives to keep families informed. As authorities escalate their crackdown on illegal immigration networks, many families grapple with the harsh realities of international job-seeking scams that prey on vulnerable individuals seeking better opportunities abroad.
The story continues to unfold as the families of the missing men cling to hope for their safe return amidst ongoing investigations.
The Iranian Embassy issued a statement emphasizing the peril of unauthorized immigration endeavors and assured collaboration with Indian officials. The Indian Embassy echoed these concerns and demanded a swift response to locate the missing individuals.
Gurdeep Kaur, the mother of one of the missing men, 23-year-old Amritpal Singh, shared that their family was misled by a travel agency. The agent claimed they had successfully secured an Australian work visa for Amritpal, leading him to believe he would fly to Australia on April 26. However, multiple flight cancellations ensued, with the agent eventually rerouting him through Iran.
Following their arrival, Amritpal initially contacted his mother, sharing that they had reached safely in Tehran. Within an hour, however, the situation drastically shifted as he called again in distress, reporting they had been kidnapped. Subsequent efforts from the family to locate the travel agents yielded vague answers, after which they went missing, further complicating the situation.
The family's ordeal escalated with disturbing video calls purportedly from the kidnappers, showcasing the three men who had reportedly suffered physical abuse. The ransom demands fluctuated from an initial 20 million rupees to 5.4 million, but the family has yet to comply.
Local police are actively searching for the missing men, while the Indian embassy strives to keep families informed. As authorities escalate their crackdown on illegal immigration networks, many families grapple with the harsh realities of international job-seeking scams that prey on vulnerable individuals seeking better opportunities abroad.
The story continues to unfold as the families of the missing men cling to hope for their safe return amidst ongoing investigations.
