MANILA - TWO British men have been detained in the Philippines and could face long jail sentences for allegedly running a scam offering Filipinos non-existent jobs abroad, legal officials said on Wednesday.
The two took 1.75 million pesos (S$51,592) in fees from 12 Filipinos in exchange for getting them work in Britain but failed to deliver, said Mr Kenneth Dasal, legal officer of the Manila suburb where they are being charged.
'They were caught by a police investigator posing as a job-seeker in a 'sting' operation,' Mr Dasal told AFP.
Simon John Paice and Nicholas John Vickers are in detention awaiting trial while a third British man is being sought for his alleged involvement in the case, said Mr Dasal.
The two Britons have been charged with 'illegal recruitment in large scale', which has a maximum penalty of life in jail, said Ms Aida Lumugdang, an officer of the court handling the case.
They were arrested early last month and charged in court on Dec 21, Ms Lumugdang said. However it was not stated how old they are or when they entered the Philippines. -- AFP
