‘Recruiter’ nabbed in Manila for offering fake jobs in China, Australia

An alleged illegal recruiter was arrested during a police operation in Manila, GMA News' Katrina Son reported on Balitanghali on Thursday.

The suspect, Ofelia Ujano, who also uses the name Lani Naval, managed to collect around P125,000 from her victims before she was arrested.

One of the victims, Elvira Canonigo, said she paid Ujano P54,000 last March. She was supposed to fly to Australia to work as dormitory maintenance staff.

"Sabi niya na madali lang kami makaalis dahil replacement kami. Yung una kasing nag-apply naaksidente daw," Canonigo said.

Suzette Lazaga, another victim, said Ujano recruited her to supposedly work as a domestic helper in China.

Ujano had promised them both that they will be able to leave soon, but months had passed and there was still no word about their trips.

"Nung binigay niya yung pekeng visa ko, sabi niya by May [makakaalis na ako]. So hinintay namin naman ng May. Pero pagdating ng May, sabi niya September na naman daw," Lazaga said.

When the suspect arranged a meeting with them to return their passports, the victims sought help with the Manila Police District.

PO3 Dindo Encina, the inspector in the case, reminded would-be OFWs to go through the proper paperwork and go through the correct processes if they want to work abroad.

"Kagustuhan ng mga biktima natin na makarating ng ibang bansa kaya grinab nila ang opportunity, at nagbigay sila. Kung ano ang hiningi sila, yun ang binigay nilang pera," Encina said.

"Magproseso tayo ng papel hindi yung agad-agad na pangako, ganitong pera lang magagastos, tapos gusto natin makarating kaagad sa ibang bansa, yun naman pala maloloko lang tayo," he added. —Jessica Bartolome/KBK, GMA News