DMW shuts down illegal OFW recruitment ring in Manila; fake overseas job scheme foiled

• The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) ordered the closure of a recruitment agency (Reliable Recruitment Corp.) and a travel agency (Reiven Air Travel Tour and Consultancy) in Manila for illegally recruiting OFWs without active job orders

• A victim, "Clem," paid P100,000 and mortgaged land for a promised overseas job that never materialized, uncovering fraudulent documents

• Investigations revealed the travel agency's unauthorized role in OFW recruitment, leading to an arrest during a police sting operation where a P70,000 processing fee was solicited

• The DMW reiterated its commitment to combating illegal recruitment, urging aspiring OFWs to verify agencies and job offers through official channels to avoid fraudulent schemes

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has ordered the immediate closure of two entities in Manila – a recruitment agency and a travel agency – for allegedly engaging in illicit recruitment activities targeting aspiring Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

Authorities uncovered what they described as a concerted scheme to process overseas employment applications without the requisite active job orders, a critical violation of Philippine labor laws governing overseas employment.

The crackdown was initiated following a complaint from a victim identified only as "Clem," who sought assistance from authorities.

Clem had reportedly paid a substantial amount, totaling P100,000, for a promised job as a fruit picker abroad.

To secure this payment, Clem disclosed mortgaging ancestral land in the province, a testament to the significant financial sacrifices often made by individuals pursuing overseas work.

Despite this hefty payment, Clem's deployment never materialized. Further investigation by the victim allegedly revealed that some of the documents provided by the agencies were fraudulent.

The DMW, tasked with protecting the welfare of OFWs and regulating recruitment practices, emphasizes that legitimate recruitment agencies must possess active job orders registered and verifiable within the DMW's official database before they can offer employment opportunities abroad.

This regulation is designed to prevent fraudulent schemes and ensure that jobs offered are genuine and compliant with international labor standards.

Upon receiving Clem's complaint, DMW operatives and law enforcement teams moved to verify the recruitment agency, identified as Reliable Recruitment Corp.

When authorities arrived at its reported premises, the office was found to be deserted. A "closure order" was promptly affixed to the establishment, effectively ceasing its operations.

Further investigation led authorities to uncover a suspected connivance between the recruitment agency and a separate entity, Reiven Air Travel Tour and Consultancy, which operated as a travel agency.

In an intelligence-driven operation, a police asset posed as an overseas job applicant and visited Reiven Air Travel Tour and Consultancy.

During the transaction, the police asset was allegedly asked to pay P70,000 to process the application, despite travel agencies having no legal authority to recruit or deploy OFWs.

This alleged illicit transaction led to the arrest of the individual involved in the processing of the application. Subsequently, the travel agency was also ordered closed by the DMW.

Undersecretary Bernard Olalia of the DMW expressed strong condemnation for the unauthorized activities.

"Saan ka nakakita ng isang travel agency na puwedeng mag-recruit at magpaalis ng OFW?" (Where have you seen a travel agency that can recruit and deploy OFWs?), Olalia was quoted as saying, highlighting the glaring illegality of the travel agency's involvement in recruitment.

Authorities reportedly found envelopes containing applications marked for "departing" or "processing" at the travel agency's premises, further solidifying the evidence against them.

Illegal recruitment syndicates often prey on vulnerable individuals by promising lucrative jobs abroad with quick deployment.

These fraudsters typically demand exorbitant "placement fees" or "processing fees," often coercing victims into selling assets or borrowing money to pay.

Common tactics include issuing fake job orders, fabricated visas, and spurious employment contracts.

The DMW consistently warns aspiring OFWs to exercise extreme caution and to verify the legitimacy of recruitment agencies and job offers through official DMW channels before making any payments or committing to agreements.

GMA Integrated News attempted to solicit statements from representatives of both Reliable Recruitment Corp. and Reiven Air Travel Tour and Consultancy, but as of the latest report, no authorized personnel were available to comment on the allegations.

The DMW has affirmed its ongoing commitment to intensifying its efforts against illegal recruitment, urging the public to report any suspicious activities to protect fellow Filipinos from falling victim to such schemes.

News, photos or videos that arouse the interest of netizens would often go viral on social media, due to the attention netizens give them. These viral posts appeal to the emotions of netizens, and in rare cases, such could also happen to ordinary people, making them very relatable.

In other news, a 23-year-old aeronautics student, Christian Colindres, died in a motorcycle crash along Negros South Road in Brgy. Mabini, Pulupandan on July 6. The accident occurred when Colindres attempted to overtake an SUV but struck its rear, leading to fatal injuries. He was rushed to the hospital but was declared dead on arrival. The SUV driver voluntarily surrendered to the police as an investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Still in other news, a 46-year-old man with a mental health condition was rescued from an electric pole in Muntinlupa City after a two-hour ordeal on Saturday, July 5, 2025. The man suffered approximately 30% burn injuries during the incident, despite the careful coordination of police, fire personnel, and Meralco crews. Muntinlupa City Mayor Ruffy Biazon confirmed that the LGU will provide extensive assistance for the man's physical recovery and ongoing mental health treatment. The incident underscores the critical importance of public awareness, support systems for individuals with mental health conditions, and warnings against tampering with electrical infrastructure.

Source: KAMI.com.gh