Doney Barbosa came a long way from Colombia only to fall victim of a business deal that nearly left him homeless.

In November 2023, when he boarded a plane from Medellín to Málaga, pursuing what seemed a legitimate business venture which led him across Spain, Germany, Serbia, and finally safely back home through the IOM’s Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR), Mr. Barbosa realized the importance of safe and regular pathways the hard way.

There are several reasons for his open and honest testimony.

His story is a cautionary tale for all those embarking on a journey seeking job opportunities, but also a reminder that providing safe and regular pathways for labour migrants is critical.

Mr. Barbosa was deceived by a Spanish businessman selling industrial gases who offered a pre-employment contract to legalize his stay in the country, asking for an investment in the company in exchange for the opportunity to earn a percentage in sales.

The proposition included a trip to Serbia with a layover in Germany. During transit, German authorities informed him that he exceeded a 90-day stay in the EU, that the documentation presented was not valid to re-enter the EU, and that on his return to Spain he could face detention and deportation, unless he presents a valid contract.

“The promises of the Spanish businessman were fake. Additionally, he blocked my bank account in Spain, cancelled my mobile data plan, and cut off all communication. At that moment, I understood why my itinerary was not directly from Spain to Serbia. The fraudulent businessman knew the EU laws well. My investment in his company remained, as I was not allowed to re-enter the EU,“ continues his account of the events Mr. Barbosa.

On his way back to Spain (via Germany), the German police acted in accordance to rules and procedures by deporting him to the country of arrival, leaving him stranded in Serbia. Finding the way to return to his far away homeland was challenging, without money or communication means.

Luckily, he reached out to the Colombian Consulate in Budapest which in turn referred him to IOM Serbia. The rest was truly an account of hope and relief, as IOM provided AVRR support and enabled his safe return home, providing Mr Barbosa with a reintegration support package to get him back on his feet after the financial loss he suffered in Spain.

IOM is particularly committed to ensure that regulatory frameworks are in place to facilitate global labor mobility. There is a need for control mechanisms to effectively monitor the work of intermediary agencies, but also the necessity for the migration stakeholders to work together to facilitate regular and safe pathways, in order to prevent fraudulent practices, and prevent the risks of exploitation, such as the experience of Mr. Barbosa.

Doney Barbosa feels the need to stress the words of caution to all those considering migration for employment and work purposes:

“Do not embark on a journey abroad seeking work opportunities without knowing the laws of the country you are traveling to and above all, listen to your intuition, the common sense, and rely on your experience.”

Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) is an international migration service offered by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to help migrants make informed and voluntary choices about returning to their home country. The main beneficiaries of IOM’s return and reintegration assistance are migrants with irregular status, regular migrants, asylum seekers who decide not to pursue their claims or who are found not to be in need of international protection, and migrants in vulnerable situations, such as victims of trafficking, unaccompanied and separated children, older migrants, or migrants with health-related needs as well as stranded migrants in host or transit countries. AVRR helps beneficiaries with their individual plan for returning, which is jointly planned, safe and dignified without a cost for beneficiary.