PREYING ON OFWs. A criminal lending syndicate is preying on OFWs, making them believe they provide fast and trouble-free loan application and withdrawal, but instead, perpetrators ask them to send thousands of pesos as “payment.”
MANILA, Philippines — Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Wednesday warned returning overseas Filipino workers (OFW) against criminals syndicates offering high-paying jobs, only to make them work as scammers abroad.
According to the bureau, an OFW supposed to return to Manila was offered a job as a call center agent in Thailand, with a promise of good income.
However, she was forced to work for a ‘love scam’ syndicate in Laos instead.
This fraud involves looking for victims online, typically through dating sites or other social media platforms.
The OFW did not receive any salary.
She was repatriated after running away from her employers.
She sought assistance from Philippine embassy in Vientiane.
This experience prompted BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco to issue a caution.
“Beware of strangers who will approach you with offers of high-paying jobs overseas,” he said.
“They will only make your lives miserable at the expense of your families who depend on you for financial support,” he added.
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