DMW supports stiffer penalties for OFW-preying scammers

Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac expressed strong support for the imposition of stricter penalties on scammers targeting overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), highlighting the severe financial and emotional damage inflicted on victims and their families.

“I fully agree with these measures,” Cacdac stated during the Kapihan sa Manila Hotel forum on Friday.

He pointed out the alarming scale of such fraudulent activities, saying, “The serious cases involve hundreds of victims,” underscoring the urgency of enacting tougher laws to address the growing problem.

To combat scams, the DMW has strengthened partnerships with agencies such as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Anti-Money Laundering Council, and the Philippine Stock Exchange. 

These collaborations aim to educate OFWs on how to identify scams and access legitimate investment opportunities. Programs like SEC’s ASTIG (Anti-Scam and Illegal Taking of Investments Group) include webinars designed to empower OFWs with the knowledge to safeguard their hard-earned money.

The DMW also extends assistance to victims through its AKSYON Fund, which offers legal referrals and financial aid to help them recover from losses.

Cacdac cited efforts to address specific cases, including a large-scale cargo forwarding scam that victimized over 700 OFWs in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.

He voiced strong support for a proposed bill by the ACT-CIS party-list that seeks to impose life imprisonment and fines of up to P10 million on scammers. “Tough penalties should match the gravity of the crime,” he emphasized.

Cacdac also highlighted the broader impact of these scams, saying, “Scammers destroy the lives of workers who have sacrificed so much for their families and the country.”

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