Victim of visa fraud?: What led to gunning down of Kerala migrant worker on Jordan-Israel border

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A 47-year-old man from Thumba in the capital district was shot dead, reportedly by Jordanian soldiers at the border while trying to sneak into Israel with three others a few days ago, in a latest case of visa fraud involving agencies.
Thomas Gabriel Pereira (47) of Puthuval Purayidam at Rajiv Gandhi Nagar near Thumba, died while others were injured. The incident came to light after his relative Edison (43), who lives near Kinfra Park at Menamkulam, returned after being deported by Jordan. Edison was injured in his leg in the shooting and was given medical aid.

The other two people are still in jail in Jordan, according to reports. Reports said the Indian embassy in Jordan informed the family about Pereira's death through an email but it remained unchecked.
The four-member group was assured of Israeli work visas by an unidentified agency but they were given Jordanian tourist visas instead in a clear case of cheating. As per the agency's direction, the four tried to sneak into Israel and Jordanian soldiers shot them.
Pereira and Edison left for Jordan on Feb 5. After landing there, they contacted their families and were in touch with them until Feb 9. They tried to cross the border on Feb 10 through a mountain valley but Jordanian soldiers spotted them.
Pereira's family has written to Norka Roots seeking help to bring home the body. Norka Roots CEO Ajith Kolassery said: "This is not the first time people have fallen prey to visa agency frauds. Several people from coastal hamlets were recruited to the Russian army under the pretext of offering them some other jobs to fight the Ukraine war. These agencies may not even possess valid licences to recruit people or offer visas. People must be aware of such frauds and state police have a major role to play here."
Pereira and Edison were autorickshaw drivers and they didn't disclose anything about their journey to anyone. "The families were informed about the Jordan journey hours before the trip, but they did not answer all our questions. We have no clue who took them to Jordan and how much money was paid. Please help get at least his body back," said Agnes Henry, a common relative of Edison and Pereira.