BUHANGIN, Davao City — Immigration authorities intercepted six Filipinas at the Davao International Airport who were bound for Cambodia to work in scam hubs disguised as legitimate customer service jobs, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported.

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the women were about to board a Philippine Airlines flight to Singapore on June 20 when they were flagged by officers for secondary inspection. Though their documents suggested a short tourist trip, further questioning revealed that they were recruited to work in Cambodia.

The interception follows President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to intensify efforts to protect Filipinos from human trafficking and illegal employment abroad.

According to Viado, the victims were recruited via Telegram by a fellow Filipino and promised jobs as customer service representatives. One victim disclosed she paid ₱50,000 to the recruiter, who also provided fake documents and a return ticket to help them clear immigration.

“The continuous recruitment of victims to work in scam hubs indicates that a single trafficking syndicate may be orchestrating these illegal activities,” Viado said. “It’s a well-rehearsed lie, and too many still fall for it.”

The BI turned over the victims to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), which is now providing them with assistance.

Viado reminded the public to remain vigilant and avoid overseas job offers that bypass the government’s legal recruitment procedures.