ISC Salalah to organise MELA 2002.

New Methods used by Visa Agents to dupe Gulf Malayalis

A new and innovative type of visa racket has surfaced. In this case, the victims are not the aspiring Gulf Malayalis, but Malayalis who are already working here. Two Malayalis, Sagar alias Rasheed, and Muneer -have collected huge amounts from ordinary workers promising job visa. Initially they were asked to pay about RO 110 each, and afterwards, they will fax a copy of the Visa. On receiving the visa copy on fax, the victims are asked to deposit the remaining part of the money RO 350 or so in a bank account. Believing that the copy of visa sent to the aspiring employee is a genuine one, many people rushed to the bank and deposited the money. However, afterwards there was no trace of the Visa Agents and they went to the Emmigration department to verify whether the visa is original. Many workers staying in labour camps have been duped in this fashion.

To their surprise, they were given a copy of a visit visa issued to a 14 year old Young Yemeni boy. The culprits obtained a visa issued in someoneelses name, changed the name and passport number and send it through fax. On receiving the fax, no one will realise their foolishness. The culprits are operating from interior regions like Sur. Large number of people are believed to be duped in this manner. Five of the victims have filed case in local Police station. When they approached the Arab sponsor, it was realized that the culrprits are not working under him.

ISC Salalah to organise MELA 2002.

Salalah; The Indian Social Club, Salalah, is hosting MELA-2002, on the 25th of January 2002 from 5.00 P.M. onwards as part of the New Year Celebrations. The plan is to attract Omani and Arab visitors to the Mela.

Dhofar has a sizable number of expatriate populations who revel in entertainment activities. This Mela is meant to provide an evening of merriment and enjoyment. The Club expects the attendance of a large number of expatriates as well as native population. To accommodate this number, the Mela-2002 is being organized in the premises of Salalah Public Park, said Sanathanan.K Chairman, ISC Salalah. Dhofar region is famous for the Khareef festival, in which several people have participated.

A lot of trading companies and enterprising members of the Indian Community have come forward to sponsor and organize food stalls, providing a wide variety of Indian cuisine, games centers, dance and music programmes. The Club wishes to make this event a memorable one. Dhofar Municipality and other Government authorities have been kind enough to extend their co-operation in hosting this evening for which we are ever grateful, he said.