The Bureau of Immigration (BI) warns Filipino women against online foreign scammers.
BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco issued the warning amid reports that a foreign syndicate preys on Filipino women seeking relationships through the internet.
“We have previously received numerous reports of women being courted by syndicate members online, who would pretend to be foreign nationals interested in meeting Filipino partners. Victims would then be wooed with small gifts, promises of international travel, and marriage,” Tansingco said.
“In many cases, the fake foreigner would claim to fly to the Philippines to meet or marry their victim,” he added.
“However, upon the scammer’s supposed flight to the Philippines, he will claim that he is being held by Immigration or by other government agencies,” he said.
The fraudsters would then dupe their victim into depositing large sums of money in exchange for the foreigner’s freedom. In previous cases, the scammers would pretend to be officers or high ranking officials of the BI.
In March last year the BI received a request from a female victim, who alleged that his partner was being held by authorities at the Davao International Airport.
The victim said that fake BI officials were demanding payment for the release of her partner. The scammers claimed that her partner was being held for carrying large sums of money at the time.
“We are worried that many would continue to be victimized, especially during the Valentine season. Be alert, and be wary of people you meet online. Always double check and verify with authorities to know if the story that they are telling you is true,” Tansingco said. Vito Barcelo