I never thought I’d fall for it. I’ve always been careful, skeptical even. But sometimes trust sneaks in through the smallest cracks, familiarity, a shared language, or just the right timing. That’s how I lost money to a fake agency in Dubai that promised me a job in Canada.

The Hairdresser’s Tip

I had a regular hairdresser, someone I trusted with my hair, and even though other cutters were available, I always waited for this one. He knew my style, no explanations needed. That routine built unspoken comfort.

One day, in the middle of a haircut, he mentioned he was leaving Dubai for good. “I’m moving to Canada,” he said. I asked how.

He explained he had found an agency that handled LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) applications for Canada and even offered an installment plan. It sounded within reach, so before leaving the salon, I asked for the agency contact number.

First Contact

Back in my room, I WhatsApp the agency, CNU International Immigration Consultancy. They replied quickly, scheduling me for a face-to-face assessment and orientation on the 16th floor of Latifa Tower.

At the office, I discovered the agent spoke Cebuano, my own mother tongue. Not from my city, but close enough. Hearing my language in that setting dropped my guard instantly. We spoke in our native language the entire time as she explained the process, the requirements, and the payment terms.

She told me I had less than a week to secure my slot. The supposed “principal” was coming to Dubai soon, and I had to pay the down payment immediately to reserve my chance.

The Payment

Her urgency worked. She made it sound like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that would vanish if I hesitated. In that moment, I convinced myself this was my shot.

I paid the down payment.

Verification Attempts

Even after paying, I wanted to ensure CNU International Immigration Consultancy was legitimate. I checked with the Dubai Chamber of Commerce to see if the company license matched the services they claimed. They confirmed the license belonged to The Best Business Group L.L.C., but it didn’t cover immigration or LMIA services. Further, they said that CNU International Immigration Consultancy is not registered with the chamber.

I also reached out to law offices in Canada to confirm the agency’s claimed affiliations. The responses confirmed my fear: no official connection existed. Everything the agency promised was false, and by the time I verified it, my AED 500 was already gone.

What I Learned

Scammers don’t always look like strangers in dark corners of the internet. Sometimes they come through people you know, a fellow Filipino speaking your language, someone who feels familiar in a foreign land.

Looking back, the red flags were clear:
• Too much urgency, with less than a week to decide.
• Payments demanded before seeing proof of legitimacy.
• The comfort of a shared language used as a tool to build trust.

I share this story not to dwell on the loss but to warn others. If you’re an OFW dreaming of opportunities abroad, be cautious. Ask questions. Verify. Real agencies won’t rush you into paying before you fully understand the process.

Final Thought

Losing that money hurt. But what hurt more was realizing I had ignored the signs because of trust, trust in someone who spoke like home.

If this story keeps even one OFW from making the same mistake, then at least the loss wasn’t for nothing.

Disclaimer

This post recounts my personal experience with an agency in Dubai and the lessons I learned. It is not legal advice, and I cannot guarantee outcomes for others. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research, verify information independently, and exercise caution when dealing with immigration or job placement services.