MAKATI CITY, PHILIPPINES — Two women were arrested for allegedly running an illegal recruitment scheme that promised Filipino workers jobs in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, but turned out to be fake.
The Arrest
On July 24, 2026, at around 11:00 AM, agents from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group’s Anti-Transnational Crime Unit (CIDG-ATCU), together with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), raided an operation along General Luna Street in Makati City.
The two female suspects were caught in the act — accepting application documents and collecting processing fees from hopeful applicants. Authorities seized 31 sets of documents belonging to job seekers during the operation.
The suspects had no license or authority from the DMW to recruit or deploy workers overseas, making their activities illegal under Republic Act No. 8042 (Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995), as amended by Republic Act No. 10022, in relation to Estafa under the Revised Penal Code.
The Scam: Jobs That Never Existed
According to CIDG Director PMGEN Robert AA Morico II, the suspects lured a total of 18 applicants with promises of jobs in Dubai as:
- Yacht cleaners
- Yacht stewards
- Housekeepers
The offered monthly salaries ranged from ₱45,000 to ₱75,000 — an attractive amount for many Filipinos dreaming of working abroad.
To “secure” these positions, applicants were charged processing fees ranging from ₱19,000 to ₱100,000 each. Trusting that a better future awaited them in Dubai, the 18 victims collectively paid a staggering ₱1,150,000 to the suspects.
But when authorities checked with the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Dubai, the truth came out: there were no job orders and no actual employment opportunities for any of the positions being offered. The suspects were never authorized to recruit workers in the first place.
Government Response
CIDG Director Morico stressed that the government remains committed to protecting the dignity of Filipino citizens, both at home and abroad — especially migrant workers. He noted that RA 8042, as amended by RA 10022, exists precisely to raise the standard of protection for migrant workers, their families, and overseas Filipinos in distress.
The CIDG leadership commended PCOL Felix G. Gervacio Jr., Chief of the CIDG-ATCU, for the swift arrest of the suspects and for dismantling their recruitment scheme before more victims could be added to the list.
“The operation prevents future victimization and protects our kababayans from giving out their hard-earned money for an employment abroad that never existed,” the CIDG said in a statement.
The CIDG also reaffirmed its commitment to working with the DMW to shut down illegal recruitment and fraudulent job schemes, both in physical locations and online.
Protect Yourself: How to Verify Job Offers
The CIDG and DMW are urging the public — especially aspiring overseas Filipino workers — to be extra cautious before paying any processing fees. Before applying or paying, always verify:
- The legitimacy of the job offer
- The recruitment agency’s license
This can be done directly through the official DMW website.
If you suspect illegal recruitment activity, report it to the CIDG or the Department of Migrant Workers immediately.
