A view of the Dubai skyline. ARCHIVE

The Philippine Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has sounded the alarm on a rising tide of cross-country job scams and fraudulent Tadbeer recruiters targeting Filipinos in Dubai and the broader UAE. The advisory forms part of the agency’s Anti-Illegal Recruitment and Trafficking in Persons Program, aimed at safeguarding overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). In a statement on Tuesday (January 21), the DMW disclosed receiving reports about human trafficking linked to online scam facilities. “The DMW received a report on possible human trafficking for forced criminality (online scam facility) targeting Filipinos in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, heading to Nigeria and other countries in West Africa,” the advisory read. The scams typically involve fake promises of employment abroad through social media platforms. Victims are lured by advertisements that appear legitimate but are crafted by unscrupulous recruiters. These scams often serve as fronts for human trafficking operations, according to the DMW. Adding to the concern is the emergence of illegal recruiters posing as Tadbeer agents. Tadbeer centers, which are government-regulated agencies for domestic worker hiring in the UAE, have become a convenient guise for fraudulent schemes. The DMW revealed in Filipino, “Don’t fall for false promises of jobs from anyone claiming to be a recruiter for Tadbeer agency in Dubai. They will claim that they are in the process of establishing their office in the Philippines to meet victims in person and ask for payment via GCash.” The DMW advised individuals to transact only with legitimate offices of licensed recruitment agencies and to verify job offers meticulously. Suspicious activities can be reported to the DMW via email at airtipinfo@dmw.gov.ph or through its official Facebook page. The agency’s initiative has received widespread support from netizens. Many expressed gratitude for the timely advisory, citing the growing sophistication of these scams as a cause for concern. Bong Concha, a retired OFW, lauded the government’s efforts to crack down on these illegal activities. “I have encountered so many victims, as well as illegal recruiters targeting Filipinos in the UAE,” Concha said in Filipino. He emphasized that public awareness is crucial to curb these exploitative practices. For Filipino expatriates in the UAE, the warning is a timely reminder to remain vigilant. Authorities are also working with local organizations to enhance anti-trafficking measures and provide support to victims. ICA/PIA/Expat Media
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