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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 6 human trafficking victims repatriated from Myanmar

6 human trafficking victims repatriated from Myanmar

Published Apr 6, 2024 07:52 am

Six human trafficking victims have been repatriated to the Philippines after working in cryptoscam hubs in  Myanmar with little or no salary and subjected to physical and psychological abuse.

Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said the six victims -- two males and six females and whose names were withheld -- left the Philippines as tourists in 2023. They were repatriated last April 4.

Tansingco lamented how many Filipinos fall prey to cryptoscam hubs as they still attempt to venture out to work illegally abroad. 

He said the Bureau of Immigration (BI) raised the alarm on cryptoscam modus in 2022. The International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) had also raised its concern over gangs and scammers in Southeast Asia involved in online romance scam centers, as many of its workers are trafficked victims from the Philippines, he also said. 

"Many countries have already agreed that this is a growing crisis. Yet some Filipinos insist on departing as tourists to try out work offers they receive online, only to be duped into working in these scam hubs," he stressed.

Thus, Tansingco urged Filipinos not to be blinded  by scammers and exercise caution when applying for jobs abroad.

He warned: “Stop risking your life for these too good to be true job offers. Many have already suffered. Do not let yourself be the next victim."

Related Tags

Norman Tansingco crypto investment scam myanmar crypto in asia bureau of immigration Crypto cryptoscammers
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