BI repatriates 24 Filipinos trafficked for online ‘love scam’ ops in Cambodia

The Bureau of Immigration reported the repatriation of 24 Filipinos allegedly trafficked and forced to work in online “love scam” operations in Cambodia.

The group arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 on 14 February aboard a Philippine Airlines flight from Phnom Penh.

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said many of those repatriated are in their twenties and were lured through online job advertisements promising high salaries for so-called “love scammers” or “love finders,” supposedly in digital marketing roles abroad.

According to Viado, once deployed, the recruits were forced to engage foreign nationals — primarily from the United States and European countries — through online dating platforms. Victims were later redirected to cryptocurrency investment schemes and online casino links sent via messaging applications.

Initial interviews showed that 16 of the individuals left the country as tourists, two exited through irregular migration channels commonly known as backdoor routes, while six departed as overseas Filipino workers.

One female victim was reportedly deployed to Brunei, where she was similarly forced to communicate with targets through online dating applications.

“This is not legitimate employment. This is organized fraud with international victims. We will not allow our country to be used as a recruitment ground for global scam operations,” Viado said.

The BI chief added that the illegal operation allegedly involved persuading targets to transfer funds under the pretense of investment opportunities and romantic commitments.

Authorities said further investigation is ongoing to identify recruiters and possible local accomplices.