The family of Thomas Gabriel Perera has revealed that he was a victim of a job scam before being fatally shot by Jordanian security forces while trying to cross into Israel. The 47-year-old and his brother-in-law, Edison Charlas, traveled to Jordan under the impression they would secure well-paying jobs, but found no such opportunities awaiting them.
Hailing from Kerala, India, both men worked as auto-rickshaw drivers and paid a hefty sum of 210,000 rupees (around $2,500) to an agent before departure. Upon arriving in Amman, they were informed there were no jobs, and the agent suggested they attempt to enter Israel instead.
On February 10, Charlas and Perera, along with a group, embarked on a journey to the Israel-Jordan border. Charlas recounted the perilous night, stating they were fired upon while walking in darkness, leading to Perera's death from a bullet wound. While officials claim warnings were issued before the shots were fired, Charlas disputes this account.
Following the shooting, Charlas was hospitalized and later detained for 18 days before being deported back to India. Efforts are ongoing to retrieve Perera’s body from Jordan, with the Indian embassy facilitating the process. Tragically, this case highlights a broader issue where many Indians fall victim to similar scams, driven by the hope for better job prospects abroad, despite government warnings.
