39 Filipinos rescued from Nigerian scam operations arrive in PH

Thirty-nine Filipinos, victims of human trafficking from Nigeria, arrived in the Philippines on Monday night via Qatar Airways flight QR932.

They were initially promised legitimate customer service jobs with a USD1,000 salary and free board and lodging but were instead forced into cyber scams.

The victims were arrested during a large-scale Nigerian government raid in December 2024 targeting cryptocurrency and love scam operations.

They experienced threats, had their passports withheld, and were subjected to exploitative working conditions.

The repatriation was a result of directives from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and joint efforts from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) under the One Country Team Approach (OCTA).

Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac and HCOWA Chairperson Rep. Bryan Revilla welcomed the repatriates at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3.

The repatriates will receive immediate financial assistance through the DMW AKSYON Fund, temporary accommodation, and transportation services back to their provinces.