The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs has urged Kenyans to be vigilant of unscrupulous recruitment agencies offering jobs abroad.
In a statement on Friday by Director of Diaspora and Consular Affairs Washington Oloo, the Ministry said some of the agencies work in collusion with international human trafficking syndicates.
"The Ministry, therefore, wishes to warn the public about this web of international crime and cautions potential victims to be vigilant and avoid to jump into some of the seemingly lucrative job opportunities abroad without proper due diligence," Oloo said.
The statement followed the Inter-agency meeting on trafficking of Kenyans to Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Region held on October 14.
It regretted that despite numerous reports highlighting the plight of Kenyans in the diaspora, many continue falling prey to the employment trap.
Oloo said some of the victims said they sold family assets and obtained loans to meet the cost of travel, accommodation and visa fees.
He added that the money is given to the agents who end up defrauding most of the unsuspecting applicants.
The Ministry said the job seekers are given a 90-day visa but on departure, their return tickets are cancelled.
"The victims are decoyed to "textile factories" to engage in criminal activities under the watchful eye of armed men," Oloo said.
"Their passports are normally confiscated and remain under the custody of the criminal gang."
Oloo said even with calls to rescue, the victims are usually held in high insecurity areas making it difficult for them to be saved.
"Nevertheless, the Ministry in collaboration with its Embassy in Bangkok and in partnership with IOM, HAART and security agencies have successfully managed to rescue 50 Kenyans from the region in the past," Oloo said.
