Daijiworld Media Network—Puttur (RD/CN)

Puttur, May 12: A Gulf job aspirant from Uppinangady, near here, was cheated by a local employed in Saudi Arabia, who collected Rs 1.32 lac from him with the promise of a job in Mecca.

Gundyadka Hameed Moideen, living near Sampya mosque, under the jurisdiction of Aryapu village, was cheated by Ashraf, son of a textile merchant in Uppinangady. A complaint has been lodged in this regard
with Uppinangady police.

It was alleged that Ashraf had collected the money as Hameed’s visa brokerage charges, one-way air ticket, airport tax, and incidental charges. Although Hameed reached Saudi Arabia, he was not
employed by his Saudi sponsor.

Background of the Case

Hameed was employed as a teacher at a ‘madrasa’ in Kasargod and was well-versed in Arabic studies. He met Ashraf, who is a distant relative of his wife, during a religious ceremony.

Ashraf identified the Arabic proficiency in Hameed and lured him with the offer of a plum job in Saudi Arabia. Ashraf collected Rs 1.32 lac from Hameed and managed to send him to Saudi Arabia,
but Hameed’s sponsor ill-treated him with no gainful employment. His sponsor also harassed him by taking his passport and other documents.

Ashraf, who was employed in another province of Saudi Arabia, was on vacation in his hometown when Hameed reached home with great difficulty. When Hameed went to inform Ashraf’s father about the
cheating, Ashraf and his brother took Hameed to a house and abused and threatened him in front of ten men. Ashraf drove down in his car along with four people near Hameed’s house and threatened him to kill
if in case he demands the money.

Hameed, in his complaint, alleged that Ashraf was involved in a murder case in Saudi Arabia and had been imprisoned there and he would not hesitate to commit a gross crime.