Indian expats warned of chartered repatriation flight scam

Indian expats in the UAE have been warned about a new scam pertaining to chartered flights amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The fraudsters reportedly collect money for the airfare and quarantine charges in India.

Indian expats have been urged to check with official sources before making any payment.

"All Indian nationals are advised to take note of the above and advised not to fall prey to any such people or agents on pretext of arranging chartered flights to certain destinations," a statement from the Consulate General of India in Dubai read.

It comes as UAE-based carriers - Emirates, Etihad and Air Arabia - have been offering repatriation flights to those people wishing to return to their home country. At the end of April, Dubai’s aviation sector helped 37,469 people returns to their homes on 312 special flights.