BI intercepts 4 illegal recruitment victims at NAIA

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) said Saturday that it intercepted four victims of illegal recruitment at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Three of the victims are female and one male, with ages ranging from 20 to 30, the BI said, adding that they were found to have been victimized by an illegal recruitment scheme.

According to the agency, the an anonymous source provided details about the recruitment of the four victims, who were deceived and recruited under false pretenses to work in Cambodia's online casino industry.

Earlier, the victims claimed they were employed here in the country, and they are traveling abroad as tourists, the BI said.

However, a further investigation revealed that they earlier confessed to have been unlawfully recruited as telemarketers for an online gaming company, with a promised monthly salary of $800.

All of the four victims have been turned over to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) for assistance in filing legal cases against the recruiters, the BI said.

“Beware of schemes that promise 'legitimate' call center jobs but ultimately lead individuals into engaging in criminal activities abroad,” BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said in a statement.

“It is crucial to verify the authenticity of job offers and protect one's own interests. We are committed to safeguarding the rights and welfare of our fellow citizens,” he added.

He also reminded aspiring OFWs to seek legal employment through the Department of Migrant Workers, to ensure their protection from traffickers.

—LBG, GMA Integrated News