SCAMMERS often prey on overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) due to their perceived stable jobs and regular remittances to their families in the Philippines, making them a target for online scams.
According to the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), the significant economic contribution of OFWs, who brought in $3 billion in 2023, makes them primary targets for scammers seeking to exploit vulnerabilities in the system.
“If we have 2.5 million OFWs, in 2023 they brought in $3 billion to the nation’s coffers. Imagine, just 1% of that is roughly two billion that our scammers can target. With such a substantial amount coming in, there are many opportunities that can be exploited against our fellow citizens,” according to Usec. Alexander Ramos, Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center.
OFWs commonly fall victim to fake overseas job offers, illegal recruiters, human trafficking, investment scams, and love scams.
DMW and CICC to strengthen protection for OFWs vs online scams
The Department of Migrant Workers and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center join forces to protect OFWs from various online scams.
Under their memorandum of understanding, the CICC’s operating center will be available 24/7 through the 1326 hotline to address OFWs’ complaints promptly.
One may also report through the agency’s cellphone numbers, email, or Facebook page.
To expedite responses, three dedicated individuals will handle each complaint, including the agent receiving calls or texts, an investigator, and an intelligence officer.
The agencies will coordinate with the police, National Bureau of Investigation, and Department of Justice.
An early alert system via text blast will also be launched to warn OFWs against online scammers.
Hans Leo Cacdac of the Department of Migrant Workers lauded the early warning system as a tool to provide immediate awareness to potential victims.
“The early warning system is excellent to promptly inform our fellow citizens whether or not they are entering the realm of deception by a scammer,” Hans Leo Cacdac, Department of Migrant Workers said.
Pre-departure briefings for OFWs will now include information on various online scams and how to avoid them.
“It will become one of the subject matters to be discussed at pre-departure or pre the orientation program of the OFW. We will not limit it in pre-departure. Because [our] people are currently traveling to the provinces,” Usec. Alexander Ramos, Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center stated.
The DMW aims to prevent OFWs from falling victim to scammers through these initiatives, recognizing the importance of safeguarding their hard-earned income.
“We hope that, if not completely eradicated, it can be alleviated, as there will always be those who will attempt to proliferate scams. But at least, we aim to lessen the number of victims,” Cacdac added.
“We really dislike the idea of any OFW family becoming victims because it’s their hard-earned income,” Cacdac said.
Lastly, DMW advises OFWs to be cautious of scammers using common names, generic model photos, reluctance to appear online, suggesting meetings at fast-food establishments or malls instead of official offices, and those demanding money upfront.
