KOZHIKODE: Despite the sluggishness in the real estate business, the hawala transactions continue unabated in Malappuram district with most of the unemployed youth taking it as the most preferred “job”.
According to unofficial estimates, there are thousands of youth in Malappuram who work as hawala agents and the shocking fact is that even the family is not objecting to their children being a conduit.
Police sources said hawala (locally known as kuzhal) is considered an easy option to make money by the youth.
“It is true that police has not done anything to curb this menace promoting black money transactions,” a senior police officer in Malappuram told Deccan Chronicle.
“Many of our personnel know the agents involved in money laundering but they prefer not to act and turn it an opportunity to make money,” the officersaid.
Sources close to hawala agents said several crores of rupees was being circulated in the district on a daily basis and the competition between the agents also promote an underworld culture.
“There had been cases of criminal gangs waylaying hawala agents and robbing them of money. Hawala agents are an easy target as they do not prefer to approach police even if they lose their money. The main hand behind the transactions will not suffer losses and the lost money is recovered from the agent,” the official added.
The unemployed youths in Malappuram are attracted to this trade as they are paid good commission for the amount they deliver. Money is being carried on bikes and in cars and they hardly get caught.
“Even guys as young as 16 are involved in this and they use the money they get for drugs and other fun. Family members are also happy as they get their share,” the official added.
