PILIBHIT, India, Dec 28— Relief and emotion swept through several villages in Pilibhit district on Saturday as nine men returned home after being trapped in Kyrgyzstan for months in what officials say was a case of overseas job fraud.
Smiles returned to families in Barkhera, Puranpur and surrounding areas as the workers reunited with relatives who had feared for their safety since September.
“We had almost lost hope,” said a family member of one of the victims. “Now we want those responsible punished and our money returned.”
According to police, all 12 men were allegedly lured by a Pilibhit-based recruiting agent who promised jobs abroad and collected Rs 2.5 lakh from each worker. They were sent to Kyrgyzstan on short-term visas backed by fake employment contracts.
Once there, the men said they were forced to work in conditions they had not agreed to and were denied salaries.
“They told us we would get proper jobs,” said one of the returning workers. “Instead, we were threatened and beaten when we asked to go back.”
The ordeal became public after Rohit, one of the workers, shared a video online describing their situation. His wife Premvati and relatives of others soon contacted district officials and political leaders.
Union Minister Jitin Prasada intervened by reaching out to the Indian Embassy, officials said, helping secure travel documents and exit permissions.
Farmer leader Dev Swaroop Patel met the workers in Bareilly after their return. He said tickets were still pending for three men — Harishankar from Jironia village, Ramasare from Bhuda Pipariya and Shyam Charan from Baiju Nagar.
“They are safe, but arrangements are still being made for their journey,” Patel told PTI.
District Magistrate Gyanendra Singh said the administration is coordinating with central authorities to ensure the remaining workers return by Dec. 30.
“We are committed to bringing everyone back safely,” Singh said.
Police said an investigation is underway to determine the full extent of the fraud and identify those involved. Families have urged authorities to act swiftly.
“We trusted the agent with our savings,” said another relative. “Now we want justice.”
