Love scams targeting OFWs rising

Senators are calling for stiffer penalties against scammers, particularly those who victimize overseas Filipino workers.

"We really have a problem with those swindling OFWs, especially on social media. I have seen their posts on Facebook," said Senator Robin Padilla in Filipino.

Senator Raffy Tulfo, who filed Senate Bill 2078, backed Padilla's call for stiffer penalties against swindlers and scammers who exploit their victims' lack of financial literacy.

SB 2078 proposes an Act Promoting and Developing OFWs' Financial Responsibility and Literacy.

The Department of Migrant Workers recently warned that online romance swindling schemes victimizing OFWs were on the "troubling rise."

A Filipino in Switzerland was duped by her foreign "boyfriend" of 40,000 Swiss francs, or the equivalent of P2.5 million, according to DMW. Usually, the scammers ask for money from their victims by claiming they have encountered customs-related problems.

DMW said cases of scams victimizing OFWs may be referred to the agency's Migrant Workers Protection Bureau through hotline 8721-0619, Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/airbranch, or email at mwpb@dmw.gov.ph.

"A great number of OFWs are exploited and swindled out of their hard-earned money and return home to their families empty-handed," said Tulfo, adding that OFWs must be equipped with the skills to make sound financial choices.

SB 2078 will require all OFWs to undergo mandatory financial literacy training, which shall become an integral part of their pre-departure orientation.