3 OFWs fall prey to Pinoy swindler in Dubai

Alleged swindler Ruben Magbanua

Three Filipino overseas workers were victimized by a swindler in Dubai. What hurts them most is that the suspect is also a Filipino.

Victims Marcial Paringit, his wife Susan and Juliana Dela Cruz have identified Ruben Magbanua as the alleged swindler.

Magbanua is a tenant in an apartment. The Paringits and Dela Cruz are renting out a room from him.

The suspect suggested that they pay one-year rent renewal of the entire apartment in exchange for a big discount from their monthly rent.

The three contributed 25,000 dirhams or more than P300,000 to pay for the apartment’s rent. In return, Magbanua issued them a check as guarantee.

“Kaya ho nakumbinsi kaming dalawa na magbayad kasi mahirap nga naman talagang humanap ng bahay ng time nay un dito sa Dubai,” said Dela Cruz.

However, one day, the owner of the apartment ordered them out because Magbanua allegedly failed to pay for the rent.

Worst, they could not change the check issued to them by Magbanua because it has no fund in the first place.

This prompted the trio to report the incident to authorities where they discovered that eight other cases have been filed against Magbanua.

“Sabi po ng police marami siyang reklamo doon, same complaint, walo ang kaso niya sa pulis,” Mrs. Paringit said.


Victims Marcial and wife Susan Paringit and fellow OFW Juliana Dela Cruz


Mrs. Paringit could not help but cry because they just borrowed the money they used to pay for the one year rent. The problem, she said, had to come at a time when her husband was included among the many workers displaced in the United Arab Emirates.

“Lalo po at nasama din ang asawa ko sa mga natanggal sa trabaho. Hindi ko alam kung paano kami makaka-survive dito sa Dubai. Sana naman maawa naman siya sa amin bayaran naman niya kami,” Mrs. Paringit said.

“Masakit kasi Pilipino yun. Sa totoo lang hindi talaga ako makatulog sa gabi, syempre yung babayaran naming bahay, eh ngayon magkano lang naman ang sahod niya,” said Mr. Paringit.

Now, Mr. Paringit is one of the many Filipinos who paid a visit to the Philippine Overseas Labor Office-Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (POLO-OWWA) to register for the government’s reintegration program. He hopes to find employment immediately.

The Philippine government warns OFWs to be wary of unscrupulous individuals ready to take advantage of them. Report from Dindo Amparo, ABS-CBN Middle East News Bureau Chief, Dubai and TV Patrol World

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