The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Saturday (Sept. 4) warned foreign nationals against “fake immigration officers” that offer fake entry permits.
In a Laging Handa public briefing, BI Spokesperson Dana Krizia Sandoval said alleged scammers target ‘aliens’ that are temporarily barred from entering the country.
They offer fixing services online for their entry exemption documents and other immigration services.
“Napag-alaman na hindi siya Immigration officer at hindi empleyado ng BI. Isa nang red flag na nakita natin ay ang entry exemption document ay hindi po ini-isyu ng Bureau of Immigration [iyan], but it’s rather issued by foreign post abroad,” Sandoval said.
According to the initial investigation, scammers introduce themselves as BI employees and flee once the payment is transferred by the client.
“We are coordinating with the appropriate law enforcement agency para mahuli itong mga ganitong modus na nakakalungkot kasi during a pandemic, mayroon tayong pandemya, may kinakaharap tayong ganito. Imbes na nagtutulungan tayo ay may mga ganito pang manloloko na tuma-target dito sa mga kababayan natin at foreign nationals,” Sandoval said.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police Gen. Guillermo Eleazar on Friday (Sept. 3) said in a statement that he has tasked the Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) to step up the campaign against the selling of fake entry permits to foreigners and other illegal online activities that are connected to the government’s COVID-19 response.
Read more: Eleazar to ACG: Step up drive vs. sellers of fake entry permits, vax cards
– CF -rir
