With thousands of Filipinos working and living in the UAE, our community is known for its resilience, talent, and hard work. But with this strong presence comes an unfortunate downside: targeted scams that try to take advantage of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), especially those new to the country.

Scammers often play on trust, urgency, or promises that seem too good to be true. In this guide, we highlight the most common scams targeting Pinoys in the UAE and share practical tips to protect yourself and others.

1. Fake Job Offers and Recruitment Scams

How it works:

Scammers offer high-paying jobs in the UAE (or even Europe or Canada) in exchange for “processing fees” or personal documents. These often appear on Facebook groups, WhatsApp chats, or fake websites.

Red flags:

Unregistered agencies
No POEA or UAE license
Payment required upfront
Vague job descriptions or instant approvals

How to stay safe:

Always verify job offers with POEA or POLO UAE
Avoid recruiters who ask for money via GCash, remittance centers, or personal bank accounts
Do not give your passport or documents without verification

🔗 POLO Dubai – Verify Job Offers
🔗 POEA Job Orders (PH)

2. Investment and “Paluwagan” Scams

How it works:

Scammers invite you to join a paluwagan, networking group, or “investment opportunity” promising high returns in a short time—often through forex trading, crypto, or small business franchises.

Red flags:

“Double your money” in days
No legal documents or licenses
Pressure to recruit others
Testimonials that sound too perfect

How to stay safe:

Only invest in registered companies with clear legal status
Avoid giving cash or savings to individuals without formal contracts
Remember: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is

🔗 Securities and Exchange Commission (PH) Investor Alerts

3. “Pakisuyo” Remittance or Shipment Scams

How it works:

Someone offers to send your padala or remittance “with others” to help you save on fees—but the package or money never arrives.

Red flags:

No official receipt
No tracking number
“Bayaran mo na lang ako mamaya” or “wala na akong time” excuses

How to stay safe:

Use registered cargo or remittance centers only
Always get a tracking reference number
Never hand over money or valuables without proof of transaction

4. Love Scams and Online “Romance” Traps

How it works:

Scammers pretend to be interested romantically and slowly ask for money, often claiming emergencies, visa issues, or gift deliveries.

Red flags:

They never video call
They claim to work overseas or are "stuck at the airport"
They quickly declare love or ask for help

How to stay safe:

Don’t send money to people you haven’t met in person
Be cautious about sharing personal info
Trust your gut—and talk to someone you trust

5. Fake Government or Bank Messages

How it works:

You receive a call, email, or SMS claiming to be from MOHRE, a bank, or immigration, saying there’s a legal issue, unpaid fine, or blocked account.

Red flags:

Caller demands urgent payment or personal details
Threatens arrest or deportation
Sends fake “official” links or documents

How to stay safe:

Government offices will not ask for payments by phone
Hang up and call the official hotline to confirm
Never click on suspicious links

📞 MOHRE: 800 60
📞 Dubai Police (Cybercrime): 901 or use the e-Crime platform
🔗 Dubai eCrime Portal

How to Report a Scam

If you’ve been scammed or suspect fraud:

Report to Dubai Police via eCrime
Contact MOHRE for employment-related scams
Visit the Philippine Embassy or POLO office for OFW-specific issues
Warn others in your community to prevent further victims

🔗 Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi
🔗 POLO – Dubai and Northern Emirates

Scams often work because they seem familiar and trustworthy. But when you're aware of the tricks, you're much harder to fool. Stay informed, verify everything, and never hesitate to say no—even to someone who seems sincere. Your safety is worth more than any promise. Be alert. Be wise. Protect yourself and your kabayan.

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