Manila, Philippines – The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has padlocked a Manila-based consultancy and arrested two people accused of luring jobseekers with bogus work offers in Poland. The crackdown targeted Venancia Consultancy PTY Ltd./Venancia International Manpower, Inc. in Sta. Ana, Manila.
According to a statement by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the office was closed under Closure Order No. 24, Series of 2026, signed by DMW Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac. The operation was carried out with the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group after several Filipinos filed complaints over the fraudulent offers.
Two Arrested, Four Now Face Charges
Authorities arrested Jomalyn Baya Fisher and Glydel Sayon during the shutdown. The DMW investigation pointed to a wider group running the scheme through Venancia:
- Rina Songahid Bench – Recruiter
- Jomalyn Baya Fisher – Recruiter
- Arlyn Rodriguez (alias “Rodriguez”) – Accomplice
- Glydel Sayon – Accomplice
All four will face illegal recruitment charges. Their names will also be added to the DMW List of Persons and Entities with Derogatory Record.
How the Scam Worked
The recruiters reportedly passed off Venancia as a firm authorized to deploy workers to Poland. They dangled high-paying factory and welding jobs to attract applicants.
Here’s what victims were promised and asked to pay:
- Jobs offered: welder and factory worker positions in Poland
- Promised salary: €1,200 a month, or roughly ₱85,000
- Processing fee charged: ₱300,000 per applicant
The numbers looked attractive on paper. The reality was different.
No Legal Basis for the Job Offers
DMW verification exposed the cracks in the operation. Investigators found that Bench and Fisher were actually recruitment officers of a licensed agency. They used that legitimate cover to gain the trust of unsuspecting applicants.
More damning, the DMW confirmed the agency held no approved job order for any work in Poland. That means the offers had no legal basis at all.
Next Steps Against Venancia
Beyond the criminal charges, the DMW is moving to dismantle the firm’s operations. It plans to recommend:
- Cancellation of Venancia’s business permit with the Manila City Government
- Cancellation of its registration with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)
Help for Other Victims
The DMW Migrant Workers Protection Bureau is urging anyone else who dealt with Venancia, Bench, Fisher, Rodriguez, or Sayon to come forward. Free legal assistance is available through the agency’s official channel.
If a job offer abroad sounds too good to be true, verify the agency and its job order with the DMW before paying a single peso.