Philippines – Police have arrested the man believed to be the brains behind one of the biggest illegal recruitment operations to hit aspiring OFWs in recent years. The suspect, Mazhoor Khusin y Ubongin, alias “Maz,” an official of ALJU International Manpower Services, Inc., was taken into custody on July 20, 2026, at his residence in Mexico, Pampanga.
According to a police report from the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) – Project 4 Police Station, Khusin ran a scheme that victimized at least 1,700 Filipinos hoping to work abroad. The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has since cancelled ALJU’s license following the violations uncovered during the investigation.
How the Scam Worked
From 2023 to 2024, Khusin and his cohorts advertised jobs in Poland, Lithuania, and the Czech Republic. Applicants were told they would work as factory workers, farmers, and hotel staff, with monthly salaries reaching PhP90,000.
Every applicant was charged a placement fee ranging from PhP80,000 to PhP130,000. With roughly 1,700 victims, the group is estimated to have pocketed hundreds of millions of pesos — money that came from the savings, sacrifices, and loans of families chasing a better life.
The jobs never existed.
The Tactics They Used
Investigators identified several methods the group relied on to pressure and deceive applicants:
- “Few Slots Left” scheme — rushing applicants to pay by claiming only a handful of vacancies remained
- False permanent residency promise — convincing victims they and their families could settle permanently in Europe
- Schengen visa misrepresentation — telling applicants they could travel freely across Europe using the visa provided
- False representation — presenting Khusin as a legitimate agent for overseas employment
Facing Dozens of Warrants
After his arrest, Khusin was brought to Makati City Jail, where he was served roughly 30 additional warrants pending against him. These were issued by the Regional Trial Court of Makati City, Branch 146, which found probable cause for Illegal Recruitment in Large Scale.
Five of his alleged accomplices are still at large: Lalaine Salazar, Dominique Esguerra, Shane Retuerma, Mary Ann Geresola, and Daisy Santinitigan.
A Reminder for Aspiring OFWs
Authorities are urging the public to stay cautious before handing over any placement fee. Always confirm that a recruitment agency holds a valid DMW license, and be wary of offers that sound too good to be true — especially those built on cheap prices and empty promises of permanent residency abroad.
Victims of ALJU International Manpower Services, Inc. can file complaints with the DMW or the nearest police station.