Philippines – A woman accused of duping jobseekers with fake seasonal farm work in South Korea has been arrested in Manila after a sting operation by government authorities.
According to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the agency teamed up with the National Bureau of Investigation – Human Trafficking Division (NBI-HTRAD) to catch suspect Catherine Santiago Naron. The entrapment took place at One Health Medical in Malate, Manila, following complaints from applicants who said they were promised jobs abroad that never came.
How the Scheme Worked
Naron allegedly presented herself as a licensed recruiter with a government-backed deal. To gain trust, she reportedly claimed the hiring was part of a government-to-government arrangement between the Municipality of Calaca, Batangas and the Government of South Korea.
Her offer sounded hard to pass up:
- A monthly salary of ₱90,000
- Free accommodation for workers
- Seasonal farm jobs in South Korea
What the Victims Paid
Applicants said they handed over large sums before any deployment happened. Based on the complaints, the fees included:
- ₱5,000 for medical examination
- ₱80,000 to ₱90,000 for processing and placement
- ₱20,000 for the job offer, visa processing, and airfare
Despite paying these amounts and waiting nearly five months, none of the complainants were ever sent to South Korea.
The DMW Steps In
When the frustrated applicants turned to the DMW for help, investigators uncovered a troubling detail: Naron had no authority or license to recruit workers for overseas jobs.
After running its own assessment and validation, the DMW referred the case to the NBI-HTRAD. The joint investigation led to the successful entrapment operation. Operatives secured the evidence needed to file illegal recruitment charges against the suspect.
A Call to Other Possible Victims
Officials believe Naron may have targeted more than just the applicants who came forward. The DMW’s Migrant Workers Protection Bureau (MWPB) is urging anyone else who may have fallen for the same scheme to speak up.
Victims can reach the DMW through its official reporting channel at https://www.facebook.com/dmwairtip to file a complaint and get free legal assistance.
The case is a sharp reminder for Filipinos chasing work abroad: always verify a recruiter’s license with the DMW before paying a single peso. Legitimate government-to-government programs never rely on unauthorized agents collecting fees in cash.