Suspected illegal recruiter posing as TV reporter’s sister falls in Manila
Police in Manila have arrested a suspected illegal recruiter who promised work abroad while posing as the sister of GMA News reporter John Consulta.
The suspect, who allegedly introduced herself as Engr. Elizabeth Consulta, was arrested in an entrapment operation by the Manila Police District (MPD) last March 31 after one of her victims formally filed a complaint against her.
In an email to GMA News Online, the victim said an officer she identifed as PO3 Jayjay Jacob and another policeman accompanied her when she met with Consulta at a fastfood chain in Padre Faura on March 31.
The victim, who asked to remain anonymous for security purposes, said she was introduced to Consulta through a co-employee of her husband.
"According to Ms. Consulta, the husband was her former professor when she was in college. When I heard the news that someone is recruiting for a job in an oil and gas company in Canada through direct hiring, I got interested right away since I really am aiming for a job abroad," the victim explained.
On February 11, she sent a text message to Consulta, who immediately asked her to send a copy of her resume and a valid identification card.
"She also gave her BDO account for the deposit of P3,500 'courier fee.' On February 12, I deposited P3,500 to her account. That day, she told me that she had a schedule in the Canadian Embassy for the submission of my papers," the victim said.
When she wasn't furnished with a copy of an official receipt, the victim started to do research on Consulta.
After finding an article on the alleged illegal recruiter on GMA News Online, the victim reported the case to the MPD.
“I did not tell her that I already knew her scam. She kept on texting me, hoping that she can still get money from us... She is currently detained at the MPD headquarters,” the victim said.
An earlier GMA News report said the suspect has identified herself as Engineer Marie Consulta to 11 jobseekers in Naga and Iriga cities in the Bicol region.
John Consulta has already denied knowing the suspect.
GMA News Online published a guide in 2013 for OFWs looking for a way to verify job offers online.
According to the guide, jobseekers must verify the legitimacy of recruitment agencies or companies by looking for their website, its content, and the requirements they must submit. —KBK, GMA News
The suspect, who allegedly introduced herself as Engr. Elizabeth Consulta, was arrested in an entrapment operation by the Manila Police District (MPD) last March 31 after one of her victims formally filed a complaint against her.
In an email to GMA News Online, the victim said an officer she identifed as PO3 Jayjay Jacob and another policeman accompanied her when she met with Consulta at a fastfood chain in Padre Faura on March 31.
The victim, who asked to remain anonymous for security purposes, said she was introduced to Consulta through a co-employee of her husband.
"According to Ms. Consulta, the husband was her former professor when she was in college. When I heard the news that someone is recruiting for a job in an oil and gas company in Canada through direct hiring, I got interested right away since I really am aiming for a job abroad," the victim explained.
On February 11, she sent a text message to Consulta, who immediately asked her to send a copy of her resume and a valid identification card.
"She also gave her BDO account for the deposit of P3,500 'courier fee.' On February 12, I deposited P3,500 to her account. That day, she told me that she had a schedule in the Canadian Embassy for the submission of my papers," the victim said.
When she wasn't furnished with a copy of an official receipt, the victim started to do research on Consulta.
After finding an article on the alleged illegal recruiter on GMA News Online, the victim reported the case to the MPD.
“I did not tell her that I already knew her scam. She kept on texting me, hoping that she can still get money from us... She is currently detained at the MPD headquarters,” the victim said.
An earlier GMA News report said the suspect has identified herself as Engineer Marie Consulta to 11 jobseekers in Naga and Iriga cities in the Bicol region.
John Consulta has already denied knowing the suspect.
GMA News Online published a guide in 2013 for OFWs looking for a way to verify job offers online.
According to the guide, jobseekers must verify the legitimacy of recruitment agencies or companies by looking for their website, its content, and the requirements they must submit. —KBK, GMA News
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