Pithani Dugraprasad is a newly married, 32-year-old pipefitter, who lives near Viskanapatnam on the east coast of India.
Last year he was working in Singapore and had dreamed of migrating to New Zealand.
His story is part of an RNZ investigation that uncovered evidence of migrant workers being scammed thousands of dollars.
He and three friends had met New Zealander Anthony Reddy at a hotel. They each handed over $4000, plus another $600 later for a medical certificate.
Pithani Dugraprasad lives near Viskanapatnam. Photo: Google Maps
Mr Dugraprasad said he was not aware the deal was illegal. He trusted Mr Reddy because his friends did, and he felt confident because he claimed a New Zealand recruitment agency representative was with Mr Reddy.
After Mr Dugraprasad paid the money, Mr Reddy returned to New Zealand.
"I asked him, 'Where is my job offer', but he said 'You wait for two weeks ... you wait for two months'."
Mr Dugraprasad has not heard from him since.
He gave up his job in Singapore after Mr Reddy told him to go back to India to await the New Zealand job offer. He believed that was a ruse so he would be unable to confront Mr Reddy in Singapore. Now he has no job, and no money. One of his friends was in the same boat.
"That is why my life and my ambition, my dream ... everything collapsed now.
"If I find him I cannot tell you what I do because I am so much angry now about him, because this is my hard-worked money."