Saudi authorities have dismissed a viral video featuring a man from Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, seeking assistance in Saudi Arabia. They described the video as “baseless” and created purely for garnering social media attention.
The Eastern Province Police announced via X (formerly Twitter) that the expatriate’s plea for help to return home lacked validity and was posted to increase social media views. The video, which gained significant traction, shows the man speaking in Bhojpuri and alleging that his passport was confiscated and he was being threatened by his employer. He urged viewers to share the video, even with the Indian Prime Minister, to help him return. The clip reportedly garnered over 140,000 views within 24 hours.
The Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia acknowledged its efforts to locate the individual. However, they noted that the lack of specific details in the video, such as the man’s exact location, contact information, or employer’s details, has made the search challenging. In their statement, the Embassy mentioned, “The Embassy has been trying to locate the person. No further action can be taken as the video does not contain any details about the location/province in Saudi Arabia, or contact number or employer details.”
What the Man Claimed
The viral video features the man speaking in Bhojpuri with a camel in the background. He claimed to be held against his will and stated, “My village is in Allahabad… I came to Saudi Arabia. Kapil has my passport. I told him I need to go home, but he is threatening to kill me.” The video was shared by an advocate who tagged the External Affairs Minister, urging immediate action.
While the man’s identity and exact whereabouts are still unconfirmed, both Indian and Saudi authorities are closely monitoring the situation. They are proceeding with caution regarding unverified claims while continuing their efforts to ensure the individual’s safety and well-being.