Filipinos warned on illegal recruitment

By Kristine L. Alave
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Posted date: February 26, 2009

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has warned Filipinos against recruiters who promise them quick entry to United Kingdom, using student visas.

In a statement on Thursday, the POEA said the Philippine Embassy in London recently received reports of 34 Filipino students being victimized by London-based illegal recruiters who lured them with jobs and scholarships to the British capital.

The students were supposed to be attending the London School of Health & Management Studies (LSHMS), but UK authorities said the school had no nursing courses as advertised to its recruits. The POEA said the London police raided the school recently after complaints came to light.

According to the POEA, the victims paid the recruiters 2,500 - 3,500 British pounds or some US$5,000 – US$7,000 for tuition and student visa fees.

The victims also paid additional 150 British pounds for transportation expenses upon arrival in the United Kingdom.

Not only did the recruiters promise the victims that they could enter the institution, they also told the recruits that they would be given work in nursing homes, which would be credited to their school work.