Beware of Illegal Recruiters
JobMatch has created a frequently asked questions about illegal recruiters and their modus operandi in conducting the scams that they are in.
Q: How do you identify possible illegal recruitment situations?
- When the recruiter is not registered with the POEA or is not registered under a POEA-accredited agency. In the case of JobMatch, before we match job seekers with any employer, we make it a point to do a thorough background check on the recruiters that we are dealing.
- When some employees of registered agencies, wishing to make extra money, act as fixers and misrepresent amount of money (like placement fee) that is allowed for collection by the POEA.
- When employees of agencies offer employment under employers who don't exist, or they talk about employment opportunities that are not really available.
Q: How do you spot an illegal recruiter?
- The illegal recruiter makes promises and gives the applicant a list of payments to be made without any evidence or identification that he is registered with POEA.
- The illegal recruiter conducts the transaction in an improper venue such as a fast-food joint or outside the agency office.
- The illegal recruiter doesn't discuss procedures, visa applications or plane ticket arrangements; it's always money first.
- The illegal recruiter asks for big money without showing the applicant proof of where the money has gone.
- The illegal recruiter collects fees for "official" biodata forms of his alledged agency and keeps on making promises.
Q: What can you charge an illegal recruiter who has collected money from you?
He can be charged with illegal recruitment and estafa.
Q: What is the best weapon against illegal recruiter?
Knowledge and vigilance are key. Be properly informed about the overseas employment process which is readily available on the POEA website. Or the process should be readily discussed by the representative of the agency that you are applying with. On the other hand, genuine agencies should help disseminate correct information about overseas employment so that Filipinos won't be fooled into paying hard-earned money to illegal recruiters.
