NBI presents 7 Chinese nationals before the media arrested for scamming activities and their Filipina kasambahay rescued in the operation. Photo by Izel Abanilla

MANILA, Philippines – A 50-year-old Filipina kasambahay was rescued by the operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation in Paranaque City after falling victim to human trafficking activities involving foreign individuals. The operation led to the discovery of a scam hub that resulted in the arrest of seven Chinese nationals. 

According to NBI Director Jaime Santiago, the NBI-Cybercrime Division received a complaint on December 11 informing about a house help being illegally detained and forced to render service involuntarily. 

Based on the information, the victim was detained in No. 16B Jhon Paul St., Multinational Village, Moonwalk, Paranaque City. 

As “Letlet” was identifying her abusers, NBI operatives got astounded by the operational set-up found inside one of the rooms. They found multiple desktop computers, mobile phones, sim cards, written scripts and customer ledgers strongly indicating an organized deceit. 

Upon plain view examination, several messaging applications with fictitious accounts, bank accounts and fraudulent cryptocurrency investment platforms were seen intercepted in the gadgets’ interface. 

Accordingly, these scripts and tools are used in scamming activities such as catfishing scams, credit card scams, cryptocurrency scams and fake investment scams among others. 

Letlet, just like most victims, is oblivious of the true nature of her employers. According to her, she was only referred by a friend to work in the residence whose owner was then looking for house help.  

“Meron po akong kaibigan na pinasok po ako doon dahil nangangailangan po sila ng kasambahay. Pumasok na po ako doon. Okay naman po nung una, una nagkaproblema kami tungkol sa sahod, hindi sila tumupad sa tamang usapan na sahod,” Letlet said. 

She is assigned to clean the entire house except one place – the third floor.

One time, she went up the prohibited area and there she discovered the scamming operations happening inside one of the rooms. 

“Nung nalaman ko binabawalan na nila ako umakyat, binabawalan na nila ako lumalabas kasi daw baka magkwento ako sa labas,” she said. 

It was here when abuses against her started. 

“Kinukuha na nila yung cellphone ko, baka magsabi sabi ako sa iba,” she said. 

She ten thought of seeking help from a friend who reported her case to the NBI. 

“Natatakot po ako, tapos meron akong isang kaibigan nagchat ako sa kanya na dati kong kasama na driver sinabi ko sa kanya kung may pwede siya maitulong sa akin na ganun ang sitwasyon sa loob. Hindi ko naman alam na may kilala pala siya sa NBI,” she said. 

Letlet plans to go home to her province after this. Santiago said the NBI will also assist in bringing her back home. 

The NBI had already coordinated the case of the foreign nationals to the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation but would have to submit the suspects to legal processes before flying them back to their country. 

“Ang S.O.P natin pagka meron criminal case i-fi-file namin ang criminal case then we will have to hold trial. Tapos kung mapatunayan namin na nagkamali sila makukulong sila, pagkatapos nila maserve ang sentence saka palang sila madedeport,” Santiago said. 

While the workers in the scam hub have already been arrested and are set to face prosecution, the big boss of the illegal operation remains unidentified. 

The NBI chief warned the public to be wary about their employers especially those entering as house help who usually fall prey to human trafficking. 

“Bago po pumasok sa ganitong trabaho pumunta muna sa barangay magreport muna na papasok ka sa ganitong trabaho para alam ng mga kamag-anak mo, kahit sino man sa kaibigan mo na safe ka sa lugar na ‘yan,” Santiago said.