Myanmar police rescue 4 Pinoys forced to work as crypto farm scammers Published ---

According to Philippine Embassy officials in Yangon, four Filipinos forced to work at a crypto farm in Myanmar had been rescued by the Myawaddy police. advertisement Philippine ChargĂ© D'Affaires Enrique Pingol said in JP Soriano's Monday "24 Oras" report that the Filipinos had sought help from the embassy after being compelled to work as scammers at the crypto farm. Meanwhile, with the help of Myanmar authorities, the repatriation of four other Filipinos was being processed. The Filipinos were brought over across a river from Thailand without passing through immigration. Only Myanmar nationals were allowed to cross the river border. "We are always given the assurance that they are ok," said Pingol. "We also requested for us to be given consular access para makausap natin sila. And we are hoping to do that in the coming days." (We also requested that we be given consular access so we can talk to them. And we are hoping to do that in the coming days.) The illegal recruitment of Filipinos who were then forced to work as crypto scammers in Myanmar was first revealed in the Philippine Senate. The victims, enticed by large salaries, are made to masquerade as tourists in neighboring countries like Thailand. They would then be taken across to Myanmar where they would be forced to work as scammers at a crypto-currency investment program. "Paalala sa ating mga kababayan na legitimate na magbibiyahe sa Thailand as a tourist - maging alerto sa mga patakaran ng immigration ng mga bansang pinupuntahan natin, lalo na dito sa Thailand at Myanmar," said Pingol. (A reminder for our countrymen who will travel to Thailand as legitimate tourists - be aware of the immigration rules of your destination countries, especially here in Thailand and Myanmar.) "And of course, for our workers, mahalaga din na pag magbibiyahe abroad... sumusunod tayo sa mga tinakdang proseso sa [Philippine Overseas Employment Administration] to work abroad." (And of course, for our workers, when traveling abroad, it's important to follow the processes set by the POEA for working abroad.) Meanwhile, Myanmar authorities were investigating how Filipinos were being slipped into their country, and who were the people behind the scheme. — DVM, GMA

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