24 trafficked Pinoys repatriated

MANILA, Philippines — Twenty-four Filipinos lured into working in “love scam” operations in Cambodia have returned home, according to the Bureau of Immigration.

The trafficked Filipino workers arrived on Feb. 14 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1. They boarded a Philippine Airlines flight from Phnom Penh.

Promised high salaries, the victims were ordered to engage with Americans and Europeans through online dating platforms.

A female victim was reportedly deployed to Brunei.

Targeted foreigners were redirected to cryptocurrency investment schemes and online casino links sent through messaging applications.

“This is not legitimate employment. This is organized fraud with international victims. We will not allow our country to be used as a recruitment ground for global scam operations,” Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said.