AUTHORITIES have arrested an alleged mastermind of an illegal recruitment scheme that reportedly targeted at least 1,700 Filipinos seeking jobs abroad.
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said Mazhoor Khusin, an officer of ALJU International Manpower Services Inc., was arrested by operatives of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Project 4 Police Station on July 20 at his residence in Mexico, Pampanga.
The DMW said Khusin and his accomplices offered jobs in Poland, Lithuania, and the Czech Republic from 2023 to 2024, including positions as factory workers, farmers, and hotel workers, with salaries of up to P90,000 a month.
Applicants were allegedly charged placement fees ranging from P80,000 to P130,000.
One alleged tactic was the "few slots left" scheme, which pressured applicants to pay quickly because only a limited number of vacancies remained.
Applicants were also supposedly promised permanent residency in Europe for themselves and their families.
Also, the group misrepresented Schengen visas by telling applicants they could travel freely throughout Europe using the visas they would obtain.
Khusin represented himself as a legitimate intermediary for overseas employment, according to the DMW.
License canceled ALJU International Manpower Services Inc.'s license has been canceled for violations including misrepresenting employment opportunities, collecting excessive placement fees, and failing to refund applicants.
The DMW urged aspiring overseas Filipino workers to exercise caution before paying any placement fees and to verify the recruitment agency with the DMW.
It also warned jobseekers against "too good to be true" offers, particularly those involving unusually high salaries or promises of permanent residency abroad.
Individuals who believe they were victims of ALJU International Manpower Services Inc. may contact the DMW or the nearest police station to file a complaint.
