The Bureau of Immigration (BI) believes a large syndicate is behind the recruitment of Filipinos for jobs similar to the modus of the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operation (POGO) abroad.
According to reports, the victims are lured to work as customer service representatives with higher salaries and plenty of perks but when they are already abroad they are forced to work for scam hubs.
In an interview with Brigada News FM Manila, BI Spokesperson Dana Sandoval said that the mode of operations of these scam hubs are no different to the POGOs in the Philippines.
“ Sa tingin natin malaking sindikato ito at hindi ito basta basta dahil very similar ang business model sa dating illegal na POGO sa Pilipinas na naging scam hubs”.
The recruits are promised with free travel, free board and lodging, free meals and salaries up to P50,000.00 monthly.
These POGO like businesses are reportedly operating in Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar.
Sandoval warned the public against the recruitment of these syndicates operating in the country.
“If it’s too good to be true mag-ingat lang po tayo, doble ingat po tayo sa mga nakikita natin sa social media. Pag hindi ito dumaan sa Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) medyo iwas- iwas na po tayo lalo na po pag sinabing aalis kayo bilang turista” Sandoval warned.
(PAOCC photo)
Abner is an award-winning journalist. He received the prestigious 2015 Titus Brandsma Award for Community Communication in the Philippines and participated in the 2016 International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) of the United States of America, sponsored by the US Embassy in the Philippines. Founder of WATCH NORTH COTABATO, a media-citizens’ transparency group. He worked as a correspondent for the Philippine Daily Inquirer and CNN Philippines. His experience in broadcasting includes anchoring for Brigada News FM in Kidapawan and General Santos City and Brigada News TV. He anchors Tira Brigada via 105.1 Brigada News FM Manila, Mondays-Saturdays.