Estafa, illegal recruitment filed vs Naga resident

CEBU, Philippines – A resident of Naga City is facing criminal charges in court after she allegedly promised a man to a job abroad in exchange for an estimated P321,000.

Prosecutors filed estafa and illegal recruitment charges against Stella Marie de Gracia after the respondent failed to submit a counter-affidavit to refute the allegations against her.

Complainant Pink Floyd Alforque alleged that in 2006, De Gracia promised him a caregiving job in Canada with a salary of $10 per hour, as long as he would pay P321,000 as placement and processing fee. De Gracia’s husband was also reportedly working as a caregiver in that country.

Alforque further alleged De Gracia promised he could already leave in six months but the supposed job never materialized even after two years.

The complainant said he tried to get back his money from De Gracia but the latter allegedly told him he can no longer get it back.

A check with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration also reportedly revealed that De Gracia is not a licensed recruiter for jobs abroad. — Jasmin R. Uy/JMO (THE FREEMAN)