The Bureau of Immigration (BI) is warning Filipinos looking for jobs abroad about dangerous scam hubs pretending to be legitimate companies. These scam hubs operate like illegal POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators) businesses and trick Filipinos into working for them—only to force them into illegal online scams once they arrive overseas.
How Do These Scams Work?
👀 Step 1: Scammers post fake job ads on social media, promising high salaries and good working conditions for customer service jobs abroad.
✈️ Step 2: Filipinos, hoping for a better future, apply and get recruited. The scammers arrange their travel documents and send them to another country.
🚨 Step 3: Once they arrive, victims realize the job was a lie. Instead of real work, they are forced to scam people online, sometimes under threats, violence, or abuse.
More Filipinos Are Falling Victim to This Scam
According to BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado, 118 Filipinos have already been stopped at the airport this year because they were unknowingly being sent to scam hubs.
🛑 “These scammers are getting bolder, changing their tricks all the time. Our immigration officers are on high alert, but Filipinos must also be careful. Always verify job offers before traveling abroad,” Viado warned.
The Dangers of Scam Hubs
Some Filipinos who got trapped in these scam jobs have suffered horrible abuse. Recently, 12 Filipinos were rescued from a scam hub in Myanmar after being subjected to:
⚡ Electrocution as punishment
💪 Physical abuse
⏳ Extremely long working hours
🚫 No salary or freedom
How to Stay Safe!
✅ Check job offers with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).
✅ Never trust online job ads without verifying the company.
✅ Be wary of recruiters promising fast processing or free tickets.
✅ Tell family and friends before accepting a job abroad.
🛑 If an offer sounds too good to be true—it’s probably a scam!
The Philippine government is working hard to stop these human trafficking operations, but Filipinos must stay alert to avoid becoming victims.
🔗 Stay informed. Share this warning to protect others! 💙
