Philippine National Arrested for Illegal Recruitment Following NZ Immigration Fraud Conviction

Julie Pearl De Los Santos, also known as Julie Pearl Robejes, convicted in New Zealand for immigration fraud, has been arrested in the Philippines on charges of syndicated illegal recruitment, marking a significant instance of cross-border cooperation between New Zealand and Philippine authorities. This development follows her deportation from New Zealand in November 2025 after she was sentenced for providing false information in visa applications.

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Julie Pearl De Los Santos, identified also as Julie Pearl Robejes, has been arrested in the Philippines on allegations of syndicated illegal recruitment. This development follows her conviction in New Zealand in July 2025 for five charges of providing false or misleading information to Immigration New Zealand (INZ), as reported by Scoop News and Immigration New Zealand. She was sentenced to seven months' home detention and ordered to pay NZD 25,000 in reparations to five victims before being deported from New Zealand in November 2025.

The New Zealand investigation revealed De Los Santos had submitted five work visa applications between April 3 and 23, 2024, using fabricated Certificates of Employment. These documents falsely claimed applicants had relevant work experience in the Philippines. She created RealMe identity accounts for each applicant, making it appear the applications were self-submitted, and charged each individual approximately NZD 11,000 for her services, which included a promise of full-time employment in New Zealand, as detailed by Immigration New Zealand.

During the initial investigation, INZ discovered information suggesting Robejes might have also committed offenses in the Philippines. This led to an extraordinary level of cross-border cooperation between INZ, the Philippines Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), and the Philippine Embassy in New Zealand. DMW representatives even travelled to New Zealand to gather evidence and meet with investigators and complainants directly, culminating in Robejes' arrest by Philippine authorities on August 18, 2026.

Jason Perry, INZ National Manager Immigration Investigations, emphasized that this case demonstrates how investigators look beyond immediate offending within New Zealand to address wider harm that may be occurring overseas. He noted the investigation's significance as a landmark example of international collaboration against immigration fraud, aiming to hold accountable individuals who exploit migrants for personal gain and prevent future harm to aspiring migrants.

This successful collaboration comes as New Zealand and the Philippines celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations in 2026, elevating their relationship to a Comprehensive Partnership. The case serves as a stern warning that those who profit from misleading visa applicants cannot assume they can evade consequences by leaving New Zealand.