MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / Apr. 1, 2013) – The Philippines has warned Filipinos of false job recruitment in Portugal following numerous complaints from individuals who transacted with spurious companies offering employment and working visas over the Internet.
The Philippine Embassy in Lisbon reminded Filipinos to be extra cautious in making transactions over the Internet with spurious companies and individuals offering employment and issuance of entry and working visas for Portugal.
It noted an upsurge in the number of Filipinos who were victimized or have received emails from alleged companies or law firms in Portugal which offer jobs or promise to process entry and visa permits for employment through payment of exorbitant fees through money transfer.
In some cases, unscrupulous individuals have misrepresented real and even reputable companies in Portugal by using information on their websites but replacing their contact information. It said these individuals require payment of fees for “Entry-Clearance Certificates,” or “International /Overseas Employment Certificates” and “Affidavits of Guarantee Fund,” all of which are not required by Portuguese authorities.
The Embassy said the IOEC that these unscrupulous individuals were asking payment for is not the OEC legitimately issued by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration.
“The public is hereby advised to exercise due diligence and caution in dealing with unverified parties to avoid being victimized by these scams. Be aware that business companies with international dealings rarely hire employees solely on the basis of a curriculum vitae but will always require personal interviews.”
“Prospective employees should likewise be wary of job offers from individuals who ask for fees for testing or processing of documents prior to employment because this is a sure sign of a scam,” the Embassy said.
The Embassy said it is now coordinating with local police authorities and has also requested companies in Portugal to come up with their own public advisories.
It said Filipinos who wish to travel or work in Portugal or have other transactions may contact the Portuguese Embassy in Jakarta through, the following contact information:
Embassy of Portugal
Jalan Indramayu No.2 Menteng 10310
Jakarta, Indonesia
Phone: +6-221-319-0830; +6-221-319-08022
Fax: +6-221-319-08031
Email: poremjak@cbn.net.id, poremjak@jakarta.dgaccp.pt, mail@jakarta.dgaccp.pt
The public may also contact the Philippine Embassy in Lisbon, Portugal at this email address filipinas.emb.lisbon@gmail.com.
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