Authorities in the Philippines today arrested an alleged illegal recruiter promising "fruit picker" jobs in Japan in an entrapment at the compound of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) in Mandaluyong City. 

The recruiter had no licence to offer overseas jobs.

Members of the DMW-Migrant Workers Protection Bureau (MWPB) and the local police found the suspect identified as Majorie Almarez, a resident of Novaliches, Quezon City, after she accepted bribe money from the complainant whose name was withheld by the DMW.

According to the Philippine News Agency, DMW officer-in-charge Undersecretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the complainant was offered a job as a fruit picker in Japan with a monthly salary of PHP 77,000 (USD 1,376).

Cacdac said the complainant was lured by the suspect after witnessing her receive payment from another victim. However, the complainant confirmed that the suspect has no license from the DMW to offer jobs abroad.

Based on the complaint, the suspect promised to facilitate and process the victims' paperwork including certificate of employment, e-Registration account, Pre-Employment Orientation Seminar (PEOS) certificate, medical examination, and Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) certificate.

In exchange, the victim was asked to give an initial payment of PHP 13,500 (USD 241) as “marketer’s fee” and “processing fee”.

The suspect, who is now under the custody of the Mandaluyong City Police Station, will face charges of illegal recruitment and fraud.