The Department of Labor And Employment released an advisory against an online recruitment scam that targets Filipino workers who wish to work in Malaysia. According to the Labor Chief., Rosalinda Baldoz, the scammers send an email to potential victims with the pretension that the message came from the Malaysian Immigration Department. The recipient is informed of a pending appointment letter from a certain Mobil Oil Company. The said email is also requesting the recipient to send visa processing fees so their working visa can be processed.

Baldoz warned applicants not to readily believe job offers sent via email. Citing a report from the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Kuala Lumpur, she said, “Such notices are a hoax and prospective workers for Malaysia should be very wary about answering these hoax emails.

Hassan Gabra Jumdain, Labor attaché to Kuala Lumpur said that the visa processing fee that the scammer is asking the prospective applicant is USD670 or Php29,938. This is based on a sample email that was sent to an applicant. The scammer is asking the recipient to send the money through Western Union and using an account name with a government office address in Kuala Lumpur.

Jumdain said. “The email also indicates that the cost of pre-paid flight tickets will be shouldered by the host employer, in this case Mobil Oil Company."

Baldoz advised aspiring overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to be very careful and strictly observe precautionary measures when applying for jobs in Malaysia.

The labor Chief said, “They should only deal with licensed recruitment agencies posted at the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration website or visit the POEA for advice. They should not be lured by sweet words from fixers and agents promising overseas jobs for a fee. Better still, they should immediately report illegal recruitment agencies to government authorities."