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The Philippine Embassy in London has come out with a warning to Pinoys to be extremely careful when approaching visa agents.

In the wake of the Fake Dentist of Harley Street scandal, it has issued an advisory which it has sent out with its regular events bulletin.

Although not naming Ressie Reyes Macaraeg, there are enough references in it making the obvious connection.

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It is known that the embassy has received many complaints about her, and while it has no legal powers, has written to her at least once expressing concern.

In the wake of the public revelations made in Balita Pinoy, by GMA 7 and other news sources, it has decided it must publicly add its warning.

The advisory mentions that all applicants for visa services in the UK should ascertain that the agent to whom they are dealing with is legitimate, either by seeing the license to act from the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC), or checking that the person is a lawyer (See Below).  

While people may not know this, the embassy does obviously receive complaints, and when that number, and the actual details, become obvious that something is wrong, they do act within the limited scope of the powers that they do have. The embassy also keep a list of reputable and disreputable commercial concerns.

If a Pinoy contacts them for advice and recommendations, they will endeavour to assist, and where a company or person is on their blacklist, will not mention it publicly but will omit that name from any kind of recommended list.

IMMIGRATION/VISA/WORK PERMIT ADVICE

In the UK, the only people who can legally give advice on immigration/visa/work permits must either be registered with the OISC or be a legally qualified lawyer (solicitor or barrister).

All non lawyers must be registered with the OISC which is a subsidiary of the Home Office. A list of registered advisors is avaliable on their website; if they are not on the list, don't part with your money.

http://oisc.homeoffice.gov.uk/people_seeking_immigration_advice/register_of_immigration_advisers/

LAWYERS

To check if a solicitor is legally qualified, check via the links below:

England & Wales

http://www.lawsociety.org.uk/choosingandusing/findasolicitor/view=solsearch.law

Scotland

http://www.lawscot.org.uk/wcm/lssservices/find_a_solicitor/Core/directory.aspx

Northern Ireland

http://www.lawsoc-ni.org/solicitors-directory/

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2 Comments

Letter to the editor of Balita Pinoy, I feel that I must respond to your article on Ocean Recruitment Agency 127 Harley Street, run by Ressie Macaraeg. It is my understanding that there was a close team of Filipino staff employed by Ressie. All the members of staff were Glory Mae Abarrita, Melanie (surname unknown), Love Calamba and Gladys Canal. According to sources Glory Mae, Melanie and Love were receiving £300 a week cash in hand. They were also getting free food, accommodation, transportation (i.e. taxis everywhere) and also they were eating in the best restaurants, staying in 4 star hotels when they traveled with Ressie. They were also members in one of the top leisure clubs in London (David Llyods- Gym, Health and Fitness Club) address 116 Cromwell Road London SW7 4XR. For 18 months they were enjoying the PERKS OF THE JOB, so why are they coming out now against Ocean Recruitment Agency? They were receiving £300 a week for 18 months cash in hand, do the maths??? They were part of the fraud for 18 months and all of a sudden they are the victims. As for Gladys Canal(agents right hand) was receiving approximately £500 per applicant. All of the above mentioned, in their own way were part of the scam.

I've been following the RESSIE MACARAEG-Ocean Recruitment Agency SAGA with interest. What really amazes me is why all the UNFORTUNATE FILIPINOS and other NATIONALITIES who got caught up in the recruitment SCAM do not report the case at Westminster POLICE STATION (close to Harley St.where she used to operate from) Each applicant must file their grievances/complaints to the police station,THEN and only THEN will CHARGES BE MADE that there's a proof of the SCAM.SO FILIPINOS PLEASE GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER, STOP TALKING AND DO SOMETHING IF YOU WANT JUSTICE, DONT BE AFRAID TO COME FORWARD. ILLEGALS OR NOT, THAT IS THE ONLY WAY TO GET JUSTICE DONE.

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