Virtual Assistant Faces Complaints for Allegedly Scamming 16 Recruits in Manila
A virtual assistant in Sampaloc, Manila, is now facing complaints after allegedly scamming 16 people she recruited to work under her.
According to reports, the 26-year-old woman failed to pay her recruits for two months despite their efforts.
The victims shared that a total of sixteen people were recruited, but only seven decided to file a formal complaint at the barangay. They said they were encouraged to try the home-based job last August because of the attractive promise of earning three to eight US dollars per hour, an amount that could reach up to thirty thousand pesos a month.
However, things started to feel suspicious when no contract was presented. Instead, they were asked to make an introduction video as part of the supposed job interview and to pay two thousand pesos for a laptop and other work materials.
One of the victims admitted that the offer seemed too good to be true but took the risk, hoping it would be a real opportunity to earn from home. “No’ng una, ‘too good to be true’ ‘yung sweldo pero nag-take po ako ng risk. Akala ko po hindi aabot sa ganito,” one victim said.
The accused virtual assistant, on the other hand, claimed that she was also a victim of an online agency that allegedly scammed her first. She said she only followed instructions from the agency, not realizing it was a fraudulent operation.
Barangay officials reminded the public to be cautious when dealing with online job offers, especially those requiring payment before employment. Barangay Chairman Richard Serrano advised everyone not to trust easily and to verify job offers thoroughly to avoid being deceived.
“Iyon ang sinasabi ko, parang magulo. E, bakit nagrerecruit pa siya ng panibago. Wag tayo basta naniniwala lalo na kung humihingi ng pera. Marami nang naloloko,” Punong Barangay Richard Serrano said.
Eventually, the virtual assistant apologized to her recruits and promised to return their unpaid salaries to avoid legal action.
In another post, authorities arrest woman for investment scam preying on military pensioners
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