DFA to assist 3 Filipino call center workers jailed in Hong Kong

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) vowed on Wednesday to assist three Filipino call center employees imprisoned in Hong Kong for alleged involvement in a scam to open bank accounts using forged documents.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the DFA said the employees are facing five-month imprisonment for joining a free Hong Kong tour which turned out to be just a ploy to get into the territory to open bank accounts using forged documents.

“The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is assisting the three call center employees who were sentenced to five-month imprisonment on 18 February after their ‘free Hong Kong tour’ turned out to be a scam to open bank accounts using forged documents,” DFA said.

Consul General to Hong Kong Antonio Morales said the Philippine Consulate in Hong Kong will offer “in-kind support and legal advice” to the Filipinos.

Morales added that the workers will be released in March 2019 after serving a reduced sentence for pleading guilty to two counts of “using a false instrument” before the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts.

DFA said the workers started opening bank accounts at the Bank of China and Standard Chartered Bank in October 2018.

The workers were arrested on Oct. 12 after bank officials became suspicious of their activities. /ee