MANILA, Philippines—A 35-year-old Filipino male was prevented by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) from leaving the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) after authorities discovered he was allegedly recruited to work for a scam hub in Cambodia.

Mary Jane Hizon, Chief of the BI’s Immigration Protection and Border Enforcement Section (I-PROBES), said the man initially presented himself as a tourist bound for Hanoi, Vietnam, on a Cebu Pacific flight at NAIA Terminal 3.

“The traveler claimed that his trip was ‘on-the-spot’ or spontaneous. However, his inconsistent responses during primary questioning raised suspicions, prompting his referral for secondary inspection,” Hizon said Sunday.

During the secondary interview, the individual admitted that his true destination was Cambodia. 

He revealed he had been recruited via Facebook, lured with promises of employment at a business process outsourcing (BPO) company. 

The recruiter reportedly sent all travel documents through Telegram and instructed him to transit through Vietnam before proceeding to Cambodia.

Hizon noted that the scheme is a known tactic of illegal syndicates.

“These so-called BPOs are often fronts for scam hubs engaging in illicit activities such as catfishing, where individuals are forced to deceive victims online for financial gain,” she said.

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado urged Filipinos to exercise caution when pursuing job opportunities abroad.

“Scam syndicates have been preying on unsuspecting Filipinos, enticing them with lucrative offers abroad. We urge everyone to verify the legitimacy of recruiters and job offers through the Department of Migrant Workers,” Viado said. 

“Walang maloloko kung walang magpapaloko,” he said.