10/05/2024
Dear Seafarer,
It has come to this Directorate attention that there have been incidents involving individuals falsely claiming to be associated with seafarers onboard vessels or pretending to be as from law enforcing authorities such as Customs, State Police Departments, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI),Immigration Officialsand Govt. officials from Ministry etc., and soliciting money from their family members under fraudulent pretenses.
2. Numerous cases have come to light, where unknown individuals by telecalls, WhatsApp messages and emails etc., have contacted the family members of seafarers, alleging that their seafarers working on ships have been involved in serious illegal activities such as smuggling, narcotics, theft, r**e and murder etc. and have demanded money for their release or assistance. These claims are generally false and are designed to deceive and exploit unsuspecting family members.
3. The Directorate General of Shipping, strongly advises all family members of seafarers to exercise extreme caution and vigilant while receiving such calls or emails as it is crucial to ascertain the exact details of such caller, message or email sender and NOT to entertain these requests and refrain from transferring money to unknown individuals without proper verifications.
4. In the event of receiving such calls or emails, the family members of seafarers are urged to be cautious and immediately inform the matter to the concerned nodal official of the Recruitment and Placement Services (RPS) agency or the ship-owners representatives through which the seafarer has been employed contractually onboard vessel. The RPS agencies / ship-owners are here by directed to immediately take up the concerned matter by alerting the concerned law enforcing authorities to prevent further victimization and ensure the safety, security of our seafarers and their family members
5. The Directorate advises every stakeholder concerned to collectively work together to safeguard the interests of our seafarers and their family members and prevent them from falling prey to such deceitful schemes.
6. For further queries or assistance on such matters, please contact the 24 x 7 manned Directorates DG Comm Center / Mercantile Marine Domain Awareness Center (MMDAC) by Tel: +91-22-22612351, Email: [email protected]
Capt.(Dr.)Daniel J Joseph
Dy. Director General of Shipping (Crew)
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