Jobseekers warned against illegal recruiters

The scam involves payment of large amounts of placement/processing fees in exchange for a promise of work with lucrative salaries in factories, farms or hotels and multi-year visas to countries such as South Korea and New Zealand

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) yesterday issued a warning against travel agencies illegally recruiting jobseekers for overseas employment opportunities.

The POEA said it has received numerous reports concerning travel agencies offering employment abroad.

“The scam involves payment of large amounts of placement/ processing fees in exchange for a promise of work with lucrative salaries in factories, farms or hotels and multi-year visas to countries such as South Korea and New Zealand,” the agency said.

A travel agency identified as Sam Stay Tours was reportedly engaged in fraudulent activities by offering fake work or tourist visa stickers in South Korea.

The Embassy of the Republic of Korea clarified that Sam Stay Tours is not an accredited travel agency of the embassy, and that restrictions on work and tourist visa issuance are in place due to COVID-19.

Also, visa stickers are no longer being issued since 1 July 2020.

The Korean Embassy has also issued an advisory warning the public to be careful not to fall for said schemes.

Aside from Sam Stay Tours, other travel agencies reportedly conducting overseas recruitment activities are MGR Travel, Ailar

Travel Agency, Agenda de Marisian and other similar offices.

As part of their modus, the travel agencies present dubious certificates of registration from the Department of Trade and Industry, which, even if valid, does not authorize them to conduct recruitment activities, as they are not licensed by the POEA.

The Philippine Overseas Labor Office in New Zealand and South Korea also clarified they have not accredited any Philippine-based travel agency to conduct recruitment activities

The POEA warns the public to ignore unsolicited job offers made by travel agencies, consultancy firms and/or training centers.

“These are illegal recruitment schemes,” it stressed.