The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has sounded the alarm over a growing number of scams targeting overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), with criminals using them to facilitate money laundering and fraudulent job placements.
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac revealed in an ABS-CBN News report that three cases have been tracked where OFWs, particularly in Hong Kong, were enticed to lend their banking information in exchange for money. However, these accounts were later used for illegal transactions.
“Babayaran ‘yung Pilipino. ‘Yung OFW na magpapahiram ng bank account information niya… ‘Yun pala ‘yung bank account gagamitin sa money laundering,” Cacdac explained, warning that victims could face charges without even realizing they were being used.
Although some individuals involved have been detained, they were eventually released, he noted. Hong Kong authorities are now coordinating closely with the DMW to crack down on the scheme, which Cacdac said “preys on the innocence of our OFWs.”
Cacdac also warned of another scam where Filipinos are offered free flights for jobs in Malaysia or Thailand. However, once they arrive at the airport, they are rerouted to countries like Myanmar, Cambodia, or Laos — where they are forced into scam operations.
Authorities have filed 10 cases related to such fraudulent recruitment schemes, Cacdac added.
In partnership with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the DMW has assisted around 1,096 repatriated OFWs who fell victim to scam hubs in Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar.
Cacdac further revealed that the department is monitoring 10 cases involving OFWs who were duped into taking out fraudulent loans. He urged Filipinos to remain vigilant, especially against recruiters offering overseas jobs without proper work visas.
