The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has arrested a man at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) for alleged large-scale illegal recruitment and qualified trafficking of six Filipinos.

According to the NBI, the suspect — whose identity was withheld — was apprehended on 9 November while accompanying six individuals who were bound for Vietnam. All seven were intercepted by agents of the NBI’s International Airport Investigation Division (NBI-IAID).

“During departure formalities, it was discovered that their true purpose for traveling was to seek employment in Cambodia as ‘Chat Support’ or ‘Customer Service Representatives’,” the NBI said.

Investigators found that the man recruited the six Filipinos for overseas jobs and promised monthly salaries ranging from $500 to $800. Verification with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) confirmed that the suspect “is neither licensed nor authorized to recruit workers for overseas employment.”

Following his arrest, the suspect was charged before the Pasay City Prosecutor’s Office with large-scale illegal recruitment under Republic Act 8042, and qualified trafficking in persons committed in large scale under Republic Act 9208, as amended.