For most Filipinos, Canada has long stood as a ray of hope where one’s life and dreams are rebuilt, careers are fairly rewarded, and families can settle in peace. After all, who wouldn’t want to live in a country with mesmerizing views and somehow hold a ‘fast-track’ to a better life. 

Usually, the shift begins with a single family member who will pave the way for their loved ones in the Philippines to follow, often through a student visa or through working in the country

It was this dream that drew former Saudi overseas Filipino worker (OFW) 29-year-old Bennazir Joy Gabatin-Bolus into the hands of scammers. 

In 2024, Bulos said she and her husband were lured by a permanent resident in Canada Elena Guieb, an agent of Promised Land Consultancy (PLC), who offered a couple's “promo package” for migration to Canada.

“One person is supposed to act as the front, the main applicant. At first, I was chosen because they said there was an opening in the medical field, something like a healthcare assistant, but then the available positions changed, and eventually, my husband was made the main applicant.” Bulos said. 

Initially, his husband was offered to work as a kitchen crew member. A month later, the role shifted again; this time, to a dairy farmer. 

Despite doubts on whether his husband can do the work, they grabbed the offer in hopes of better opportunities in Canada. 

They began paying the CAD 14,666 application fee in three split terms totaling nearly P600,000. Their first payment of around CAD 4,666 (P200,000) was made on 3 March. The two remaining payments were paid on January and February.

Once they completed their payments, they received a job offer and were told to wait three to six months. All payments were made to a Canadian-based bank account. 

Then came silence.

“We completed the full payment in March. After that, they stopped updating us,” Bulos recalled. Despite repeated emails, there was no response from PLC.”

In May, Guieb contacted the couple, not with progress, but with devastating news: they had been scammed.

‘Fake’ promise? 

As early as 2024, there had been reports circulating Facebook groups about PLC. One anonymous post warned: 

“This consultancy has been involved in:

- **Fraudulent Practices**: They make fake job offers that do not exist.

- **Scamming**: They take money from job seekers with false promises of employment.

- **No Refunds**: Despite repeated requests, they refuse to return the money taken,” the statement read.

On 12 June 2024, Migrante British Columbia urged other victims to come forward to join a support network for those scammed by PLC. 

Bulos said PLC’s President and CEO Jose Mari Miranda, alias “Joseph Powers” never personally communicated with them. The consultancy only sends emails on matters about payment and document updates, but the rest are communicated through Guieb. 

She added that their trust in Guieb was rooted in the fact that she was a family friend. 

According to Bulos, Guieb was a family friend residing in Canada, which led them to immediately believe her claims. 

Bulos was not the only victim of PLC. She said she is a part of a group chat with about 50 other victims. 

“There are actually four agents involved. Some victims were handled by different agents,” she said.

Daily Tribune’s USAPANG OFW has advised Bulos and other victims to file a formal complaint with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).