New Scam Exploiting Young Foreign Workers in Mauritius

In the realm of international education, a disturbing new scam has emerged in Mauritius: fake institutions offering tourism studies. These entities were posing as prestigious educational establishments, but their true aim was far more sinister. They exploited young foreign workers by charging them exorbitant fees under the guise of providing academic or professional opportunities.

These fraudulent institutions collaborated closely with agents in the home countries of foreign nationals, earning commissions for each student they brought in.

They are not only partnering with agents but also with hotels seeking inexpensive labor.

These schools funnel a steady stream of foreign students into the job market, profiting from every individual they place in employment.

Many Indian victims of this scam are finding themselves repatriated.

On September 2 of this year, an International Business School located in Beau-Bassin was denied student visas for a group of young Indians.

The school’s director informed the students via a letter: “We have been informed that your study visa will not be further entertained.

Despite our struggles with both the Passport and Immigration Office and the Mauritius Qualifications Authority to keep you in Mauritius and allow you to complete your one-year stay, unfortunately, we have been announced that our case has been dismissed.

You are urged to make the necessary arrangements for your repatriation on the next available flight.”

Left unable to afford their return journey after having already paid Rs 350,000 based on promises made by their agent in India, these individuals sought assistance at the Indian Embassy in Mauritius.

They were granted a one-month extension on their stay to secure funds for their return tickets.

Crackdown by Local Authorities

The Passport and Immigration Office (PIO), the Higher Education Commission, and the Mauritius Qualifications Authority (MQA) have been compelled to take decisive action against these institutions to put an end to illegal practices and protect vulnerable foreign workers from exploitation.

The regulations governing student visas fall under the Immigration Act of 2022, which currently allows for approximately 700 foreign students in Mauritius, including Indians, Bangladeshis, and Nigeriens.

“Students are expected to focus on their studies. In this case, education is not a priority for them.

Their main goal is to obtain a certificate and secure employment to make money in the hospitality sector,” explained Narendrakumar Boodhram, the director general of the PIO.

He noted that since 2023, several inspections have been carried out at these institutions to ensure compliance with Mauritian regulations.

“Regrettably, around 15 surprise inspections revealed that about 40 of these schools were in violation of the established standards. In just eight months, 15 schools lost their operating licenses,” he added.

During these inspections, officers were shocked to find empty classrooms, as the students had already been placed in various hotels across the island.

To legally work, students must attend at least 20 hours of classes each week and obtain authorization from the Ministry of Labor.

However, this is frequently not the case. Those duped by these scams are often foreign workers looking to improve their professional standing.

The schools extract high registration fees and commissions from them, only to provide poor-quality training that often lacks official recognition.

As a result, graduates are left with worthless diplomas, substantial debt, and, in some cases, difficulties in regularizing their immigration status in Mauritius.

The Issue of Fake Certifications

Boodhram elaborated on the nature of these bogus institutions, explaining that they create training certificates or diplomas that bear a striking resemblance to those issued by legitimate institutions.

“To lend an air of credibility, they even incorporate QR codes on these documents. Yet, behind this facade of legitimacy lurks a well-orchestrated deception.

The web pages linked via the QR codes are often carbon copies of official websites or sophisticated platforms designed to mimic accreditation checks—providing no genuine information about the training received or the skills acquired.”

Recently, a Comorian was arrested by the Central Crime Investigation Department for producing false certificates.

“They’re all involved in fakes—students from India have even presented fake bank statements,” he said.

Boodhram stressed the importance of tightening regulations and monitoring to combat the proliferation of these fraudulent institutions.

“The authorities have implemented strict standards for the accreditation of educational establishments, which include rigorous checks of the proposed programs, qualifications of staff, and physical facilities.

Regular inspections and audits can help identify non-compliant institutions before they adversely affect students. Our primary aim is to eliminate these exploitative practices.”

A Broader Underworld: Drug Traffickers Posing as Students

The Special Striking Team has also launched an investigation following the arrest of two Sierra Leonean nationals by the Special Intelligence Cell last week.

Daniel Tamba Moiba, 39, was apprehended with approximately Rs 200,000 worth of cocaine at Pinewood, Eau-Coulée. He had previously been granted probation following an earlier arrest in September 2023.

His accomplice, 37-year-old James Koroma, was also found in possession of 9.10 grams of cocaine and Rs 10,000.

The two are suspected of running a major drug operation in Mauritius, leveraging their connections in Africa for their dealings.

Although they claimed to be students on the island, it appeared they are not actually enrolled in any academic programs, instead mingling with genuine African students in areas like Flic-en-Flac, Cascavelle, and Quatre-Bornes.

This ongoing issue highlighted the urgent need for greater oversight and regulation in Mauritius’ educational landscape to protect both foreign students and the integrity of the local economy.

Source: l’Express