Another Vietnamese airline: Bamboo Airways did the very same to some of my British and Norwegian colleagues. Did the selection process all online and then on the pretext of getting entry visas in he middle of the pandemic made them all pay something in the region of $200+ In an escrow account online.
Only one of a half a dozen that I know ever got into the country. I believe he also paid for his medicals, his initial sim session and part of the extended hotel quarantine expenses. First salary cheque is yet to be received after nearly 8 months of getting hired!
Seems to be quite an extensive racket in that part of the world. And Bamboo Airways seems to top that list.
🙄