The Bureau of Immigration (BI) warned Filipino job seekers from “catphishing” scams enticing them with fraudulent job opportunities on social media platforms.
BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado issued the warning due to the rising number of victims who were intercepted by the agency trying to leave the country with fake travel documents.
Viado said that the scheme has become more widespread, with 125 cases intercepted in 2024. On March 28, four additional victims—three males and one female—were stopped while attempting to board a Cebu Pacific flight to Malaysia.
The victims, tricked by false promises of legitimate jobs, were lured by deceptive social media ads promising attractive pay and coerced into creating fake online profiles, resembling to online love scams.
Last month, a total of 206 Filipinos were repatriated after being forced to work in scam hubs in Myawaddy, Myanmar.
Recent data, which mirrors trends observed in 2024, reveals that victims are primarily targeted through misleading ads offering high salaries, especially those aged 20 to 44.
Most victims, the BI said, are college graduates, with a majority coming from the National Capital Region and nearby areas. Majority of those intercepted last year were forced by their recruiters to pretend to be working in local companies, mostly in BPOs or call centers.
The victims are often trafficked to Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar—regions known for online scam hubs. Traffickers primarily use Telegram and Facebook for these operations.
The BI remains to take comprehensive measures and remains committed to fighting human trafficking, working closely with law enforcement agencies, including the DOJ’s Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT).
Viado emphasized the BI’s unwavering commitment to dismantling criminal networks and protecting Filipinos from exploitation.
“The Philippine government has been resolute in its anti-human trafficking efforts for nine years, and we are more determined than ever to bring traffickers to justice,” he added.