The Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported the interception of six more Filipinas who were forced to work in scam hubs in Cambodia.
BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado shared that this latest group adds to the growing number of Filipinos intercepted after attempting to work in scam hubs abroad — a direct response to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to step up efforts for the safety and well-being of overseas Filipinos.
The individuals, whose identities are protected under anti-trafficking laws, attempted to depart at the Davao International Airport via a Philippine Airlines flight to Singapore last June 20.
Records show that what initially appeared to be a short tourist trip for the six individuals to Singapore was actually a front, as they had been recruited for illegal overseas employment.
The victims stated that they had been recruited by a fellow Filipino through the social messaging platform Telegram, under the pretense of legitimate employment as Customer Service Representatives in Cambodia.
One of the victims recounted that they were all provided with fraudulent documents and a return ticket by the recruiter and were instructed to present these documents as part of their travel papers. The victim also said that she paid P50,000 to the said recruiter.
The continuous recruitment of victims to work in scam hubs indicates that a single trafficking syndicate may be orchestrating these illegal activities,” said Viado. “It’s a well-rehearsed lie, and too many still fall for it,” he added.
He further called on Filipinos to be vigilant against fraudulent overseas job offers, particularly those that bypass legal recruitment processes.
The Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) provided assistance to the victims upon turn over by BI officers.
