A former overseas Filipino worker (OFW) from San Jose, Nueva Ecija was arrested by authorities on Tuesday night for allegedly duping aspiring OFWs by offering them fake jobs in Canada and New Zealand in exchange of cash.
City police head Lt. Col. Heryl L. Bruno identified the suspect as 39-year-old Marivel Santiago who formerly worked in Saudi Arabia, reported Journal Online.
Santiago reportedly victimized ukay-ukay vendors, tricycle drivers, and a seaman by asking them to pay placement and processing fees ranging from Php22,000 to Php27,000 for non-existent overseas jobs.
When Santiago was arrested, around 13 or 14 of her victims came to the police station to thank authorities.
Her victims said that Santiago promised them jobs as farmers and fruit pickers in New Zealand, as well as hotel workers in Canada, with monthly salaries ranging from P60,000 to P100,000.
“Nabisto na namin siya kaya naghabla na kami matapos niya kaming lokohin at papuntahin doon sa NAIA Terminal 3 nitong Sept. 23 at lilipad na daw kami paalis ng bansa para magtrabaho sa New Zealand at Canada pero ayun kasama namin siya sa NAIA noong alas onse ng gabi na iyon puro kalokohan lang pala. At ni isang travel document kahit ticket sa eroplano o visa wala siyang binibigay sa amin,” one of the victims was quoted as saying.
The victims said that they will be filing charges against Santiago.
