A person pretending to be an employee of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) was arrested through an entrapment operation in Cubao, Quezon City, last Wednesday, July 17.
The DMW Migrant Workers Protection Bureau (MWPB) cooperating with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Anti-Transnational Crime Unit (CIDG-ATCU) successfully arrested the suspect Susan Velasquez inside a mall in Cubao.
According to the victims, in March 2024, the suspect allegedly introduced herself as a DMW employee with a fake identification card. She promised victims the opportunity to work in Canada as a "fruit picker" with a monthly salary of CAD 3,800, or Php 150,000.00 to Php 160,000.00.
Each victim paid an amount of Php 200,000.00 to Php 230,000.00 as a placement fee. The suspect promised that if they pay the full placement fee, they will be evicted immediately within two months.
Because the suspect promised to get them fired immediately, each victim paid a total of Php 200,000 for placement at its office in Montalban, Rizal.
During the waiting period and after receiving no good results of the application or any document or proof to be able to go abroad, The victims were immediately referred to the DMW-MWPB, and found that the suspect did not have a license to recruit workers abroad and was not a DMW employee.
The suspect is currently detained at the CIDG detention facility in Camp Crame and is facing charges of large-scale illegal recruitment, estafa, and usurpation of authority.
Meanwhile, DMW Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac assured that the DMW would focus on the filed case and provide free legal assistance to the victims.
