PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL

The Philippine Consulate General in New York warns the public against syndicates operating online that seek to recruit “Customer Service Representatives” or “Call Center Agents” in Southeast Asian countries.

These syndicates provide their victims, including Filipinos, with tickets to fly to a Southeast Asian country. Upon arrival, however, the recruits are relocated to remote areas and forced to work on online cryptocurrency scams and internet fraud. Victims are subjected to physical and psychological abuse, difficult working conditions, non-payment of wages, and confiscation of passports and mobile phones. They and their family are threatened with grave bodily harm and even death if they would not cooperate. In some cases, victims were sold to other syndicates which are engaged in sexual exploitation and slavery.

The Consulate strongly advises the public to exercise caution when confronted with online offers for employment in mainland Southeast Asia.