Fake overseas call center job scams target Filipinos, authorities warn
MANILA, PHILIPPINES — The Philippine Bureau of Immigration (BI) has issued a stern warning against fraudulent overseas job offers on social media that trap Filipino workers into romance scams.
Fake call center jobs lure victims, who then manipulate dating app users into bogus cryptocurrency investments, leading to their repatriation after exploitation.
Deceptive recruitment masks a human trafficking operation
After being transported abroad, victims are forced into acting out as romantic partners on dating platforms to defraud victims into fictitious crypto investments and are left in a dilemma.
BI Spokesperson Dana Sandoval has identified that many Filipinos who travel as tourists have been saved and returned to the country after falling victim to such schemes.
She claimed that the agency has intercepted hundreds at the borders due to its stepped-up efforts aimed at preventing the trafficking of humans in the guise of legitimate jobs.
“These aren’t just your run-of-the-mill online scams—we’re talking about full-blown operations linked to human trafficking,” said Joel Anthony Viado, Immigration Commissioner.
Rising trend of Filipinos exploited in global romance scams
The government has witnessed an alarming increase in Filipinos being used as an instrument by scammers who are handpicked and groomed to deceive people and be used emotionally in love schemes.
BI revealed that a 24-year-old male victim of human trafficking arrived in the country after being rescued in a joint operation with the Philippine Embassy in Cambodia.
The victim revealed he was forced to work as a “love scammer” in Phnom Penh, targeting American men through social media and dating apps to lure them into fake investments, while enduring physical intimidation—including forced head-tapping and threats with stun batons—when he failed to meet his Chinese employers’ quotas.
The BI says these scams hurt victims and the Philippines’ reputation as a labor exporter.
Spotting and stopping fake job traps
To find and prevent fake job or love scams, people should conduct thorough background checks of companies and their personnel, as well as unsolicited offers that usually promise unrealistic earnings or include a demand for personal information at an early stage.
Red flags include a poorly written job description, being asked to pay or provide sensitive documentation as part of the application process, and being pressured to hurry or provide excessive personal information to expedite the process. These are all possible tricks that scammers may use to victimize others.
People should always ensure the safety of their account by using trusted job boards, not sharing financial information too early, and reporting any suspicious activity to the relevant authorities or cybersecurity agencies for investigation.
Immigration Commissioner Viado continuously urged Filipinos and stressed the need to “stay vigilant and cautious” and “verify employment opportunities” and report any red flags to the authorities.
