Authorities are reiterating their call for the public to be careful, especially with transactions online, so as not to fall victim to scams.

A former Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) from Iloilo lost up to P189,000 to a supposed agent of a recruitment agency who promised her work abroad.

The 50-year-old victim was already working in Singapore when she met the agent on social media.

The agent reportedly belonged to an agency that processes documents for work abroad.

Despite already working in Singapore for 17 years at that time, the victim was convinced to take on the agency’s services because she wanted to move to Europe.

She first sent the agency P7,000 as reservation fee until the agent allegedly asked for more money successively to process her visa.

“Nag-request siya ng payment. Nagpadala ako kasi, siyempre, ang nasa isip ko is direct na maka-apply ako kasi gusto kong makapunta sa ibang bansa,” she said.

Expecting that it would only be a matter of time before she could move to Europe, the victim decided to leave her job in Singapore and go back to the Philippines.

However, it was when she returned home that she found out the supposed agent and the agency had not processed a single document.

“Nang umuwi ako ng Pilipinas, doon ko na-discover na lahat ng visa, work permit, wala, hindi nagawa. Hiningan ko siya ng resibo, walang maibigay,” she said.

She eventually reported the matter to the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit of the Philippine National Police.

Lt. Darius Alinsasaguin, chief of digital forensic of RACU-6, said the complainant, indeed, fell victim to a scam. For one, the agent did not even provide proper identification. 

“Pasok sya sa scam since walang mga identification card. Hinhingan natin si Ma’am kung may ID ang nagpakilalang agent ng isang agency. Walang maipakita kaya na-scam talaga siya,” Alinsasaguin said.