Three Pinoys return home after rescue from Cambodian scam hub

Three Filipinos were repatriated from a scam hub in Cambodia last week, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) confirmed on Friday.

In a statement by BI, the Filipinos, two males and one female, departed the Philippines under the guise of being tourists. They were offered a monthly salary of USD 1,000, free accommodation, and four days off each month.

However, the victims received no support or onboarding upon arrival.

According to BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado, two of the Filipinos were housed outside the scam hub premises which made it easier for them to seek help from the Philippine embassy.

He also added that the female victim was reportedly subjected to a demanding monthly quota. Failure to meet the target comes with a threat of fines ranging from USD 1,000 to 2,000 (around P56,000 to P112,000).

“It is also deeply concerning that the victims were required to pay the same substantial amount before they were even allowed to resign,” Viado said.

The other male victim was allegedly forced to scam fellow Filipinos through fraudulent online betting, loan, and investment schemes.

According to BI, the victims were recruited in 2024 and 2025. They returned to the Philippines on 6 June aboard a Philippine Airlines flight from Phnom Penh.

Viado reminded Filipinos to exercise caution on online investment schemes and advised to report any attempts of extortion or scam in the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center.