The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has uncovered a new trafficking route for Filipinos being recruited illegally to in online gaming hubs based in Pakistan.
The discovery was made after four persons were intercepted by the BI-Protection and Border Enforcement Section at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), who tried to leave for Hong Kong via Cebu Pacific flight 5J-110.
The victims—one male and three females, all in their late 30s to early 40s—claimed they were traveling for a brief vacation in Hong Kong.
However, during a secondary inspection, they admitted that their final destination was Pakistan where they were recruited to work as cleaners and a cook in an online gaming compound.
They revealed that a Chinese national promised them monthly salaries ranging from P35,000 to P45,000, provided them with cash for their travel, and instructed them to pose as tourists until further arrangements were made.
BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado expressed serious concern over the new trafficking route, saying “this is a deeply disturbing trend. We are now seeing victims being funneled to Pakistan for illegal online work — clearly a new scheme from the same criminal playbook tied to illegal POGOs.”
“These people were promised jobs, but were told to lie about their purpose of travel and wait for further instructions overseas. This modus operandi reeks of exploitation and abuse,” he added.
Viado reiterated his warning to aspiring overseas workers: “Be cautious of anyone offering too-good-to-be-true opportunities abroad, especially if you’re instructed to lie or pose as a tourist. These victims were scammed, and almost trafficked out of the country under false promises.”
