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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider BI intercepts 6 victims of alleged crypto trafficking ring

BI intercepts 6 victims of alleged crypto trafficking ring

Published Feb 5, 2023 03:37 pm

Bureau of Immigration (BI) officers have intercepted six suspected victims of an alleged crypto trafficking syndicate while on their way out of the country through the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and at the Clark International Airport.

Ann Camille Mina, chief of the BI's Travel Control and Enforcement Unit, said three of the victims were picked at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport while attempting to fly out via an Air Asia flight to Bangkok.

Mina reported that the trio initially claimed to be traveling on a company group tour, and presented several documentation proving their affiliation with the said local company.

However upon inspection, the trio gave highly inconsistent statements, and finally admitted that they are bound for Laos, and were offered P40,000 to work as customer service representatives.a

They claimed that they were recruited through an agent they met on social media.

Last week, BI officers at the Clark International Airport intercepted three male victims who attempted to fly to Thailand.

The three also claimed to be working for a local cargo company, and are traveling together on a group tour. However, they later admitted that they were recruited to work as encoders and e-games staff and were offered a salary of $ 1000 by an agent they only met through a social messaging application.

BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco expressed concern on the growing number of Filipinos recruited by trafficking syndicates to illegally work in business process outsourcing companies abroad.

Tansingco reiterated his warning not to entertain offers received on social media, and always coordinate with the Department of Migrant Workers when applying for work abroad.

The warning comes after numerous reports of Filipino citizens recruited and trafficked by cryptocurrency scam companies that physically abuse their victims abroad.

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