THE Philippine Embassy in Lisbon once again reminds the public to be extra cautious in making transactions over the internet with spurious companies and individuals offering employment and issuances of entry/working visas for companies in Portugal or other countries in Europe, the Department of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday.
The embassy noted continuing cases of Filipinos being victimized or receiving e-mails from alleged companies or law firms in Portugal offering jobs and promising to process entry/visa permits for employment through payment of fees by money transfer.
In some cases, unscrupulous individuals have misrepresented real and even reputable companies in Portugal by using information on their websites but replacing their contact information. These individuals require payment of fees for Entry Clearance Certificates, International Overseas Employment Certificates and Affidavits of Guarantee Fund, all of which are not required by Portuguese authorities.
In other cases, the victim is asked to transact with a designated travel agency who will process the necessary visas and paperwork required for the job contract.
“The public is hereby advised to exercise due diligence and caution in dealing with unverified parties to avoid being victimized by these scams. Be aware that business companies with international dealings rarely hire employees solely on the basis of curriculum vitae but will always require personal interviews. Prospective employees should likewise be wary of job offers from individuals who ask for monetary fees for testing or processing of documents prior to employment because this is a sure sign of a scam,” the embassy said.
The Philippine Embassy in Lisbon has been coordinating with companies in Portugal and with local police authorities on this matter.
Filipinos who wish to work in Portugal or have other transactions (except tourist visa applications which are already handled by the Embassy of Greece in Manila) may contact the Portuguese Embassy in Jakarta.
The public may also contact the Philippine Embassy in Lisbon, Portugal at filipinas.emb.lisbon@gmail.com.