THE Department of Justice (DOJ) has recommended the indictment of eight foreigners tagged as operators of a cyber scam hub in Clark, Pampanga where more than 1,000 alleged victims of labor trafficking were rescued.

In a press briefer, DOJ recommended the filing of human trafficking charges against the suspects for allegedly violating Section 4(j0(2), in relation to Section 6(c) and (o), in further relation to Section 10(e) of Republic Act 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking In Persons Act.

This was after probable cause was established against the eight during preliminary investigation.

Of the total number of victims, 129 were Filipinos, while the rest were foreign nationals from China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Initial investigation indicated that the victims were recruited as call center agents to entice foreign customers from the United States, Canada, and Europe to invest in crypto currency.

The victims, mostly male, were instructed to pretend to be attractive women to lure their victims to invest.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Hector Lawas