Following a distressing nursing recruitment scam, which recently came to light, the Irish government has announced the lifting of visa bans imposed on hundreds of Indian nurses ensnared in the fraudulent scheme. The scam, orchestrated by individuals posing as healthcare recruiters, exploited over 300 Malayalam applicants, promising them positions in Ireland. Suraj, the prime perpetrator, along with accomplices John Barry and Matthew Long, extracted substantial sums from the hopeful candidates under false pretenses of employment opportunities.
In a significant turn of events, Suraj surrendered to authorities in Kochi on April 16, admitting to his role in the scam and revealing the extent of the fraud, amounting to approximately six and a half crore rupees. Reacting to the victims’ plight, Migrant Nurses Ireland (MNI) swiftly intervened, organizing online meetings and advocating on behalf of the defrauded nurses.
Through concerted efforts, including a joint petition submitted to relevant authorities, MNI successfully garnered support for the affected candidates. Consequently, the Irish Embassy began reversing visa bans, acknowledging the victims’ innocence in the deception. The Department of Justice, Enterprise, Trade and Employment clarified that this decision reflects their recognition of the nurses’ status as victims of the scam.
Migrant Nurses Ireland’s proactive intervention has provided a beacon of hope for hundreds of nurses whose futures were jeopardized by the fraudulent scheme.