The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) has raised alarms over the escalating problem of illegal recruitment targeting Filipino workers, with social media becoming a favored tool for scammers.
In an ABS-CBN News report, OWWA Administrator Patricia Caunan revealed that criminal syndicates have not only shifted their recruitment activities to social media platforms but have also adopted a tactic known as “third-country hiring.” In this scheme, foreign accomplices help recruit Filipinos who are eventually deployed to another country.
“They are not targeting just the OFWs or Filipinos in the Philippines, they are targeting Filipinos who are abroad. Nagyayabang pa sila sa TikTok na ‘walang jurisdiction sa akin ang DMW,’” Caunan emphasized.
According to Caunan, these illegal recruiters can collect up to PHP 1 million from their victims, promising lucrative job opportunities that often turn out to be scams.
“Hindi niyo kailangan magbayad ng ganyan, please po, magtulungan tayo,” she urged, reminding Filipinos that legitimate recruitment does not require such exorbitant fees.
Caunan also highlighted that illegally recruited workers do not qualify as OWWA members, leaving them without direct access to government protection and benefits. The agency is actively working with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to combat illegal recruitment, especially in cases where Filipinos are deceived into working in scam hubs, including casinos in Cambodia.
“Please contact us immediately – ang OWWA at DMW para matulungan natin nang mabilis ang ating mga kababayan,” she advised.
OWWA, in partnership with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the DFA, continues to facilitate the repatriation of victims with the assistance of Philippine embassies worldwide.
