Two Malaysians Nabbed in Bacolod Love Scam

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY – The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-Bacolod is urging more victims of an alleged love scam here to come forward and file charges against two arrested Malaysian nationals for alleged human trafficking.

Police also rescued eight individuals during a raid on Thursday in Barangay Singcang-Airport, where the alleged scam operations were based.

Police Major Justin Noel Josol, CIDG-Bacolod chief, said three search warrants were served simultaneously on a rented house in Barangay Singcang-Airport and another in Barangay Handumanan.

One of the suspects had been residing in the city for more than a year, while both were found to have expired visas.

Josol said the operation stemmed from a complaint and months of surveillance and validation work.

The suspects allegedly recruited individuals under the guise of modeling jobs, but instead used their photos to deceive foreign clients in an alleged love scam.

Josol said the recruitment was done online, using false job offers to lure victims.

“They’re trying to deceive their victims by offering legitimate work, but it turned out to be illegal,” he said.

He added that the victims were poorly compensated and subjected to forced labor.

“There’s also a possibility that torture occurred as punishment for failing to meet quotas,” he said.

Eight individuals, both male and female aged 25 to 30, were rescued during the raid.

Police also confiscated laptops and other equipment allegedly used in the scam.

Josol said the suspects may have accomplices abroad but declined to provide further details, citing an ongoing investigation.

Charges are being prepared against both suspects, who are also undergoing further probe to determine whether they are part of a larger syndicate.

Following their arrest, Josol said more victims have since surfaced.