Saudi-bound Pinoys warned vs airport robbers

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine embassy in Riyadh has warned Saudi Arabia-bound Filipino workers against taxi drivers claiming to have been sent by the worker’s employer at the airport to fetch them but end up taking away their money.

Ambassador Antonio P. Villamor issued the warning on Wednesday after three Filipinos were victimized by what appears like a new modus operandi involving cab drivers preying on mostly first-time overseas Filipino workers, according to a report in Saudi's Arab News.

“If nobody was sent to fetch you at the airport, or in case of problems, call the embassy," Villamor advised.

The report said that in one incident, an OFW was dumped at an unspecified road in Riyadh after paying a huge amount to the taxi driver who fetched him at the King Khalid International Airport (KKIA).

The taxi driver apparently told the first-time overseas worker that he was sent by his employer.

Quoting the embassy statement, Arab News reported that last week, two Filipinos who separately rode colorum taxicabs were also dumped in an unknown location in Riyadh, while one almost got raped.

The embassy did not mention the gender of the OFWs but said that the incidents had been reported to Saudi authorities.

To report similar incidents or other queries contact the Philippine embassy in Riyadh through : (01) 482-3559, 482-3615, 4801918, 482 1577, 482-4354, 482-0507, or 482-1802. - GMANews.TV

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