Manila: The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) has issued a stern warning to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) about the growing threat of scammers posing as officials and charging for services that the agency provides for free. This reminder comes amid reports of individuals misrepresenting OWWA to exploit OFWs.

According to Philippines News Agency, OWWA officials clarified during a virtual briefing that the only fee OFWs are required to pay is a USD25 membership contribution, which grants them access to a comprehensive range of OWWA programs and assistance for two years. Deputy Administrator Jasmine Gapatan highlighted the troubling trend of individuals charging OFWs for services that are already included in their membership benefits.

A recent incident reported to the Philippine Embassy in Bahrain involved a Filipino household service worker who sought help with repatriation. The worker was contacted by a scammer through Messenger and was asked to pay PHP15,000 for assistance. The scammer falsely claimed to be affiliated with the embassy.

The Philippine Embassy in Bahrain has responded by issuing a warning about scam phone calls and messages from individuals fraudulently using the embassy emblem on WhatsApp accounts to appear legitimate and extract money from OFWs in exchange for assistance with national services.

Gapatan reiterated the agency's commitment to providing free services, stating, "So, inuulit po natin in support of our Philippine Embassy, na ganun rin po sa OWWA at saka sa DMW (Department of Migrant Workers), we will never ask money in exchange for help sa ating mga services." She urged OFWs to be vigilant and to report any suspicious activity by calling OWWA's hotline at 1348 or through their official social media accounts.

Additionally, OWWA Deputy Administrator Ryan Vincent Uy emphasized that the OWWA eCard is also free, addressing reports of individuals charging for processing OWWA membership and the eCard. He reminded OFWs that official transactions should only be conducted through OWWA offices, Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLOs), accredited outreach activities, and verified digital platforms, such as the eGov app.

OFWs are advised to remain cautious of social media posts, private messages, or intermediaries offering assistance in exchange for payment, and to rely solely on official channels for their transactions.