Jul 28, 2021 12:37 PM
1985 Views
I have recently moved to a new city along with my wife and 8-month old daughter. Since both of us are working we thought of getting a full-time MAID.
So the research began, I called up several agencies from Delhi, Mumbai, Chattisgarh, etc. But Couldn't finalize on anyone due to various demands.
Then I remembered how helpful JustDial was almost 7-8 years back and hence checked on Just Dial. Called up many agencies from the list populated by JD. And then I got a call from an Agency based out of Chattisgarh named Home Help care Services having an office in Rishabh Nagar Lalpur, Raipur. They sounded very professional and in a few minutes, they shared the Id proofs and photos of the maids available with them. To make it foolproof I asked them to connect me with the maid over a video call to take an interview. However, only an audio call organised and we selected the maid.
Then the agency asked us to pay INR 5000 for them to book the tickets and as an advance. I paid the advance on 27th May 2021. And today when I write this review its 28th July. The maid never arrived and the refund has also not been processed. They have also stopped picking up the calls.
Please find below the numbers from which I had received the call.
Shivani Sharma; 758826xxxx
Ajay Sharma; 808753xxxx
Since I understood that I was scammed I again checked online for other agencies on 17th June 2021. and again checked on JD. And again got a call from an agency based out of Delhi. The name of the person who called was Amit and his companies name is Amit placement services. He called and said that he is a registered company. I told him about the incident with the earlier agency. He said he understands my position and would try to help me. To gain trust he said that I can go ahead and book the ticket for the maid and office boy who would accompany her. He said I don't have to pay any advance amount till the maid reaches here. Post the maid reaches here I would have to Pay 6 months advance salary along with agency fee. The amount came up to INR 65,000. I agreed as I received the contract copy on stamp paper and ID proofs etc.
So on the day of arrival, I went to pick up the maid at the railway station. I was met by Jitendra Verma and the Niramal Doom Doom(Maid) at the railway station. I was asked to make the payment. I said I will google pay or do an online transaction since the amount is large. They insisted on cash payment. Then Amit called me up and requested to pay some amount in cash as the office boy would go to Nirmala's home and give her parents cash as they don't have a bank account. I felt pity and agreed to give cash. I went to the nearest ATM and withdrew 50k and handed them over to Jitendra. and the remaining 15k I google paid to Amit on the number he shared.
Now since all the economic transactions were done I got Nirmala home. Jitendra told me that he will take the next available train and leave the same day.
At home, Nirmala was given a room on the first floor of our Villa for herself. We asked her to take a rest as she has just arrived after 2 days of journey and also asked her to follow all covid protocols. In the evening she came down and interacted with and understood our pattern of food timing etc. The next day morning as usual I woke up around 7.30 to take my dog for a walk. I realized that there was no one in the kitchen. I asked my wife to check on Nirmala and went out for my walk. When I came back my wife told me that Nirmala is not to be seen anywhere but her belongings are in the room only. We called up AMIT to inform him the same. However, he didn't revert to the calls. I went out and checked. The guards of our complex told me that they saw her Nirmala walking out of the premises at 5.30 AM.
I went to the police station and filled a Missing petition. By then Amit Called me up and said this has never happened in the past. He promised to either send another maid on giving my money back. And I asked for the money back. He said he would do the same in two days. I called him up after two days to check on the payment. He said he would do the same by 6 pm and then 8 pm and then a totally drunk Amit called up and said he would make the payment the next day.
The refund has never come. All I have got is threats from Amit. His number is 706589xxxx.
I am sharing this as I don't want you guys to be scammed. Just Dial has become a convenient place for such scammers. JD should do something to filter out such people.
