Scam Alert: The
"PrimeX Ventures" Trap
It started with a message from "Rachelle." Then "Jerry." The script was identical.
They claim to be looking for a Full Stack Developer. But here's the catch: they don't even wait for you to ask. They immediately demand "Onsite Only" in Tarlac.
There was no negotiation. Even before I could fully discuss my preferences, the requirement was set. In the Philippine tech scene, demanding an IT professional to relocate to a remote province like Tarlac for an "Onsite" role with "free accommodation" is the massive red flag of a Human Trafficking Scheme for Scam Hubs (POGOs).
Part 1: The Social Engineering
The Copy-Paste Script
It’s a coordinated effort. Compare the messages from "Jerry" and "Rachelle". They both pivot immediately to the Tarlac location.
The Ghost Profiles
Legitimate recruiters want to be verified. These scammers lock their profiles to hide their lack of history.
The Bait-and-Switch Page
The smoking gun: Their "Corporate Page" shares political memes with mismatched captions. They bought an old page and renamed it.
Proof: They bought an old political campaign page and renamed it to look like a tech company.
Part 2: The Technical Investigation
They sent me their website: primex.ventures. It looks sleek, but it was very laggy and had poor UI/UX. So, I dug deeper using technical tools. Here is what I found.
The "10 Year" Lie
Their website claims they were "Founded in 2015".
But a Whois Lookup reveals the truth: The domain was registered on January 7, 2025.
The "Laggy" Explanation
Why is the site laggy? I checked with BuiltWith. They are using cheap Hostinger Mail and a generic Nuxt.js template. A real Venture Capital firm investing in "Cutting Edge Technology" would not use budget-tier hosting.
The Generic "HQ"
Their website lists 8 different divisions (Tech, Real Estate, Food, Construction, etc.). Yet their address leads to a generic commercial building in Makati with no specific office unit listed on Google Maps.
The Danger
The Location Trap
"Tarlac/Pampanga + Onsite + Free Accommodation" is the classic signature of illegal POGOs. They lure IT professionals in, house them in compounds, and force them to develop scam apps or work in crypto fraud rings.
Identity Theft
Even if you don't go, sending your Resume/CV and ID to these fake recruiters gives them your personal data, which they can use to open fraudulent accounts or verify other scams.
My Verdict: STAY AWAY.
Legitimate Venture Capital firms do not use locked profiles. They do not use bots. And they certainly do not lie about their founding date by 10 years.
If a recruiter ignores your questions, has a locked profile, and pushes for onsite work in Tarlac with "free accommodation," block them immediately.
Stay safe, mga ka-dev. Your skills are valuable, but your safety is priceless.