24 March 2010 - The Philippine Embassy in Tehran issued a warning to the public to be wary of persons who ask or "contract" overseas Filipino workers to carry items or baggage from Iran to another city abroad in exchange for money or leisure trips.
Filipino victims were asked to bring a certain item or baggage from Iran to another country, usually Bangkok, Thailand or Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in exchange for money or leisure trips abroad.
Earlier, the Department of Foreign Affairs issued a warning to the public on smuggling illegal drugs in Iran after two Filipinos were apprehended by Iranian authorities for attempting to smuggle illegal drugs in the country.
The unsuspecting victims were lured by offers of lucrative salaries in exchange for the seemingly easy task of transporting a package with their baggage. The packages, upon discovery by the Iranian customs authorities, contained illegal drugs.
Under Sharia law, drug smuggling is punishable by life imprisonment or death by hanging.