The Department of Migrant Workers has raised the alarm over a scheme targeting overseas Filipino workers, where fraudsters impersonate government-connected individuals and offer paid assistance for flights back to the Philippines.
Authorities say the scam operates through unsolicited messages on Facebook, WhatsApp, and SMS. Perpetrators claim ties to embassies or government agencies and promise “priority” or “assured” repatriation slots in exchange for fees and personal information.
The DMW emphasized that legitimate repatriation services — handled exclusively by the DMW, its Migrant Workers Offices, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, the Department of Foreign Affairs, and Philippine embassies and consulates — carry no cost to the OFW. Any offer that attaches a price tag to the process is fraudulent.
OFWs are advised to contact only official government channels and to immediately flag suspicious offers to the appropriate authorities. The DMW’s 24/7 Public Assistance Desk is reachable via direct lines (+63 2) 8722-1144 and (+63 2) 8722-1155, through Viber and WhatsApp at +63 927 147 8186, +63 920 517 1059, and +63 908 326 8344, or by email at connect@dmw.gov.ph, feedback@dmw.gov.ph, and repat@dmw.gov.ph.
OWWA maintains its own emergency hotlines: 1348 for Metro Manila, (02) 1348 for regional callers, and (+632) 1348 for those dialing internationally. Workers may also reach OWWA through Viber and WhatsApp at +63 915 079 5005, +63 969 169 7068, and +63 966 473 9543, or via email at tulong@owwa.gov.ph and owwacares@owwa.gov.ph.
Country-specific contacts are also available for OFWs stationed across the Middle East, covering Lebanon, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Israel, and Oman through dedicated MWO and OWWA lines in each posting.
The agency urged workers to share the warning with fellow OFWs and to treat unsolicited offers of government assistance with immediate suspicion.
