Photo from Migrant Affairs/Facebook
Migrant Filipino workers in Canada have fallen prey to an alleged scam promising jobs and permanent residencies by Filipino Canadian recruiter Jeanett Moskito, according to reports.
Despite facing 35 labor violations over the past decade, Moskito’s companies Link4Staff and Berderald Consulting have remained operational, according to an investigative report by CBC News.
Moskito, 52, has allegedly been offering the Canadian dream to Filipino migrants for over a decade.
Subscribe to our daily newsletter
The Fil-Canadian recruiter often portrayed success on social media, but a CBC News investigation revealed that she has been identified as one of Ontario’s labor offenders, who allegedly charged her clients illegal fees.
You may also like: Fil-Am charged in alleged multi-million dollar investment scam
Victims of the alleged recruitment scamOne of Moskito’s alleged victims was Filipino migrant John Gabriel Quizo.
ADVERTISEMENTQuizo, 36, moved to Canada in 2022 to study hotel and restaurant management in hopes of supporting his family in the Philippines.
For $6,000, he was promised a full-time job with a legal work permit, which Moskito claimed would lead to a permanent residency.
Upon learning that his friend had secured a job through Moskito, Quizo said he thought her company was legitimate.
ADVERTISEMENT“I (thought) that it was legit,” Quizo told CBC News.
After paying half of the recruitment fee, Quizo quit school and began working as a housekeeper at two hotels.
After working for seven months, Quizo’s name was removed from the job schedule and his student visa expired, and there was no new work permit, as promised by Moskito.
Without work documents, he is now homeless and lives in a men’s shelter. Borrowing money to survive, Quizo said he was “too ashamed to fly back home.”
Quizo is one of “hundreds” of Filipino migrants who have fallen prey to the alleged scam, according to Migrante Ontario.
best free slot gamesDespite orders from the Ontario Ministry of Labour to repay illegal recruitment fees — totaling $200,000 in all 61 cases — Moskito allegedly faced minimal consequences, with fines as low as $250.
Migrante Ontario shared in a social media post that Moskito’s labor violations date back to 2018 when Filipino workers at Ravine Farms reported her alleged illegal practices.
View this post on InstagramFive more workers have filed complaints in 2023, with support from Migrante Ontario and the Migrants Resource Center in Canada.
Beijing for years dished out billions in loans for trains, roads and bridges in Africa that saddled participating governments with debts they often struggled to pay back.
Hundreds of trucks have barred roads since Monday around Bogota and other cities in a show of anger against a 20-percent increase in the price of a gallon of diesel to $2.70.
Many have claimed they paid Moskito fees ranging from $2,000 to $10,000, only to end up not having the valid work permits allegedly promised by Moskito.
Despite the complaints filed against her company, Moskito has reportedly continued to post ads on Canada’s official job site.
In a public advisory shared by the Department of Migrant Workers Ontario, the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) stated that “Canada is a ‘NO PLACEMENT FEE COUNTRY.”
The Philippine Consulate General in Calgary also issued an advisory urging migrants to avoid any transactions with Moskito and her companies that “ask for excessive fees in exchange for fraudulent job offers.”
Filipino Canadian lawyer Jake Aguilar told CBC News the fines issued were too small to deter Moskito and others from engaging in fraudulent recruitment.
“You get a violation, you pay, that’s it. You can do it again. You can do it as often as you want — as long as you pay for the penalty, there’s no limit,” Aguilar said.
Migrante Ontario and other advocacy groups are pushing for reforms to protect migrants from exploitation and predatory practices.
Want stories like this delivered straight to your inbox? Stay informed. Stay ahead. Subscribe to InqMORNING hot646
MORE STORIES Fil-Am chef among semifinalists for 2025 James Beard Awards Sparkle and color pop amid subdued tones on Grammys red carpet Olivia Rodrigo performs at FireAid concert for LA wildfire relief Follow @FMangosingINQ on Twitter --> Don't miss out on the latest news and information. View comments TAGS: Filipino immigrants, scams, Trending For feedback, complaints, or inquiries, contact us.