Manila: Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac has issued a warning to Filipinos seeking employment in New Zealand, urging them to verify recruitment agencies and job offers to avoid becoming victims of illegal recruitment schemes.

According to Philippines News Agency, during an interview at the Philippines-New Zealand Friendship Week celebration in Mandaluyong City, Cacdac emphasized the Department of Migrant Workers' (DMW) commitment to crack down on illegal recruiters. He cited a recent incident where 1,700 individuals were deceived with false job offers in Europe by the Alju agency. The agency's operations have since been canceled, and its owner has been arrested.

Cacdac highlighted the DMW's ongoing efforts, noting that approximately 30 operations to close illegal recruitment agencies have been conducted in Metro Manila this year alone. He warned that the department is now focusing on apprehending recruiters operating outside the capital region.

On August 20, the DMW reported the arrest of a woman in Iloilo City, allegedly involved in a syndicated illegal recruitment and estafa scheme. She operated under Paragon Visa Consultancy, promising jobs in New Zealand and charging fees between PHP100,000 to PHP300,000. The DMW has filed 13 cases against her for these activities. Victims reportedly discovered upon their arrival in New Zealand that the promised jobs were either nonexistent or different from those they had been offered.

Cacdac assured that the DMW is determined to see the case through and ensure justice for the victims. He advised job seekers to be cautious of recruiters demanding large fees or pressuring immediate payment, as placement fees are prohibited for New Zealand-bound workers. He also warned against unnecessary immigration advisers and emphasized the importance of dealing with licensed recruitment agencies, verifying job offers with the DMW or the New Zealand Embassy, and obtaining the proper work visa before departing the country.