Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado has expressed grave concern over the alarming increase in cases of trafficking Filipinos by online syndicates using the catphishing platform.
In a statement, Viado disclosed that 14 victims were intercepted over the past week, preventing their attempts to depart for illegal work in scam hubs abroad.
The first wave of interceptions occurred on Feb. 4, when three victims, aged 33, 25, and 27, were rescued at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 while about to board a Philippine Airlines flight to Thailand.
The BI’s Immigration Protection and Border Enforcement Section (I-PROBES) reported that the passengers appeared to be first-time travelers on a self-funded trip to Thailand. However, their conflicting responses during initial questioning raised suspicions, prompting their referral for further inspection.
During questioning, the victims admitted they had been recruited to work in Cambodia as customer service representatives for a business process outsourcing (BPO) company.
On Feb. 5, another group of 11 trafficking victims in their mid-20s were intercepted while attempting to board the same airline also bound for Bangkok, Thailand.
The victims initially claimed to be students from a certain school, embarking on a four-day trip to Thailand. However, their inconsistent answers triggered further investigation.
Subsequent interrogation disclosed that the victims had been lured with promises of P50,000 monthly pay to work at fraudulent (business process outsourcing (BPO) in Pakistan. The recruiter had instructed them to pose as students on vacation and to conceal their Pakistani visas.
BI I-PROBES chief Mary Jane Hizon noted the disturbing nature of these cases, where traffickers prey on vulnerable individuals, particularly young Filipinos. The syndicate promises purported employment in reputable BPO companies, only for the victims to unwittingly end up working in scam hubs and forced to work as catphishers.
Viado blasted the scheme, stressing that it places Filipinos in perilous situations where they face limited or no opportunity for escape, trapped in illegal work within unregulated industries and fraudulent business operations.
The rescued victims were referred to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) for assistance, and efforts are underway to file cases against their recruiters.