The recruitment scam in Italy revealed in DAILY TRIBUNE's digital show, Usapang OFW, has proven to be bigger than first thought as more victims surfaced yesterday.
The victims recounted tales of deceit and a web of lies committed by the "CEO" of the agency.
In an exclusive interview with Daily Tribune, 12 more victims agreed to recount their unpleasant experiences with Italy-based immigration consultancy firm Alpha Assistenza SRL, headed by Filipino co-CEOs Krizelle Respicio and Frederick Dutaro.
They joined fellow victims Vanessa Antonio, Apple Cabasis, Enrique Catilo, and "victim-turned-runner" of Alpha Assistenza Socorro Velasquez, who had spoken of their experiences in the 21 September episode of Usapang OFW.
The victims painted a picture of "serial scamming" that involved word-of-mouth testimonials, mostly from friends and even relatives that were too good to be true, about the agency's social media savvy, its network of agents acting as "fixers" and collectors, and a heap of promises that turned into a mountain of excuses allegedly made by Respicio herself.
(Daily Tribune is withholding the real names of all the victims at their request.)
"One of Alpha Assistenza's staff was able to get in touch with my in-laws, and they were told how the agency could bring Filipinos to Italy in as short as three months. We paid P150,000. We got a fake Nulla Osta (work permit)," Ramon said.
Another victim, Janice, revealed that eight members of her family were recruited by Alpha Assistenza, and their agent was a relative. They paid a total of 21,000 euros. They all received fake work permits.
Another requested a refund. The victim was issued a check, which was deposited in an ATM. The check bounced.
Timeline of deception
Each victim said they began their transactions with Alpha Assistenza last May.
Several compartmentalized online chat groups, with members of at most 15, were set up by the agency for communications. The staff of Alpha Assistenza and Respicio herself were in each of the chat groups.
"But almost none of us got to see Respicio personally," said the victims.
The agents of Alpha Assistenza acted as collectors for the agency, taking payments via online banking or accepting cash from the "clients."
One victim said she paid in cash at the agency's office. She claimed it was Respicio who accepted the payment.
The scam unraveled in July when a slew of Nulla Ostas "processed" by Alpha Assistenza was rejected at the local Piasi Via (immigration office). Several victims said they arrived as a group for their appearance, only to have their documents rejected because they were found fake.
"After that, Respicio began to make all kinds of excuses. There was a glitch in the system. Or the rules at the Piasi had changed. Or there was a typo in the documents. She even gave the excuse that a popular show was having a tour in Milan so that the Piasi couldn't process more papers," several victims said.
While they began to doubt Alpha Assitenza, they continued to hold on to the promises of Respicio, the victims said. Only when they connected with other victims did they realize the scam's grand scale.
