The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has arrested a man accused of illegally recruiting 30 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were allegedly sent to scam operations in Cambodia.
According to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the NBI-International Airport Investigation Division (NBI-IAID) arrested Oliver Buenaventura Urbano in Pasay City on October 11, 2026, over allegations of large-scale illegal recruitment and qualified trafficking in persons.
Based on the investigation, three OFW complainants identified Urbano as the person who allegedly offered them overseas employment before they were brought to scam hubs in Cambodia,
Urbano allegedly used online platforms to advertise jobs as customer service representatives and online casino encoders. However, the workers reportedly ended up in scam operations, where they allegedly experienced abuse, confiscation of their passports, and extended working hours.
Authorities are also investigating allegations that the suspect offered commissions ranging from ₱40,000 to ₱200,000 to OFWs temporarily staying at the Philippine Embassy in Phnom Penh in exchange for their involvement in suspicious online financial transactions.
Meanwhile, authorities are still searching for another respondent, identified as Alicia Sagosa.
The DMW-National Capital Region (DMW-NCR) is assisting in gathering evidence for the appropriate legal proceedings, including certification that Urbano is not licensed to recruit OFWs.
The 30 OFWs have since returned to the Philippines on October 10, 2026, and received government assistance, including legal and welfare support.
In response, the DMW reminded Filipinos seeking overseas employment to verify the licenses of recruitment agencies and the legitimacy of job offers before applying or traveling abroad.
The agency also urged victims and individuals with information about suspicious recruitment activities to report them to the appropriate authorities.
