Around 60 youths from the city were allegedly cheated by a travel agent, who has vanished after collecting more than Rs 30 lakh from them on the pretext of providing them jobs in Malaysia.
According to a complaint filed with Sayajigunj police station today, one Rahul Patel duped at least 60 youngsters by promising them jobs in the Southeast Asian country.
Patel is a travel agent who operated from an office in Sayajigunj area.
"After seeing his advertisement in local newspapers about overseas jobs, several yougsters approached Patel, who promised them jobs in Malaysia. He then collected Rs 50,000 to 60,000 from each of them as processing fees for visas and air tickets," said Inspector H R Baloch of Sayajigunj.
Investigation revealed that Patel asked these job aspirants to reach Ahmedabad Airport last night to board their Malaysia-bound flight. Patel told them he, too, will reach the airport to facilitate their immigration process, he said.
"However, all of them were stranded at the airport as Patel didin't turn up. Realising they have been cheated, the youths lodged a complaint agianst Patel," the Inspector said.
The travel agent is untracable and a search is on for him, Baloch said, adding furhter investigation was being carried out.
