Jobseekers file raps vs recruitment ring

MANILA, Philippines — Three Filipino job applicants have filed a complaint for qualified trafficking, which is a non-bailable offense, against a group of people allegedly running a fraudulent overseas recruitment scheme. 

In sworn affidavits filed before the Department of Justice, the complainants said they were lured by the group, which posed as a legitimate employment placement agency, by promises of a better life abroad.

The complaint names London-based Italian national Adel En Nouri, Raffaela Razon, Krizia Ann Geronda Loyang, Ricardo Evangelista Fernandez and Joshua Sy Lim as respondents.

They are facing charges under Sections 4(a) and 6(c) of Republic Act 9208, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003.

?The complainants said they first saw the recruitment on a Facebook page called “Nouri International Placement Agency,” which was supposedly hiring domestic helpers to work overseas.

They met Razon and Loyang, who introduced themselves as human resources staff, in a coffee shop in Bacoor, Cavite.

The complainants said they were promised jobs in Europe with a monthly salary of P80,000, with free food and lodging.

The suspects allegedly presented a portfolio of En Nouri, the supposed employer who would conduct the final interview.

The victims were told that they each needed to pay a placement fee of P100,000, which they paid in two installments. They were issued receipts signed by Razon.

They were also encouraged to recruit more applicants.

?During subsequent meetings, the victims were introduced to the other respondents, who assured them that their papers were being processed.

In June, Razon and Loyang introduced En Nouri to the complainants through a video call on Messenger, where he allegedly told them to start packing as their job slots were reserved.

To secure their deployment, they were required to pay an additional P50,000 each for airfare.

In July, the victims were told to go to the agency’s office in Bacoor. But they found out that it was not an office, but a residential house.

The victims, while held at gunpoint, were also allegedly forced to perform sexual acts on camera for En Nouri.