Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Norman Tansingco has called on families of aspiring overseas workers to refrain from assisting their relatives who may unknowingly become victims of scam syndicates. Tansingco's appeal comes after the recent repatriation of eight victims from Myanmar who arrived recently at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) via a Philippine Airlines flight from Bangkok. According to the BI chief, some of these victims had been accompanied by their family members, who believed they were embarking on a vacation rather than falling prey to illegal activities. Tragically, the repatriates were coerced into working as online scammers in Myanmar, enduring not only hunger but also physical abuse and threats. One of the victims even had to pay a hefty sum of US$11,000 to secure her release from captivity. "What we are witnessing here is nothing short of kidnapping and forced labor," said Tansingco. The victims, comprised of four females and four males in their 20's and 30's, were allegedly deceived by false promises of legitimate employment opportunities. "Out of the eight victims, five were accompanied by their family members, unaware of the impending danger disguised as a vacation," Tansingco revealed.