Bureau of Immigration (BI) officers at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 intercepted a victim who was scammed into paying P120,000 for fake assistance to illegally work abroad.
The victim, identified only as “Amy,” 27, was apprehended on January 2 after attempting to bypass immigration inspection, posing as a tourist bound for Bangkok, according to Immigration Protection and Border Enforcement Section Chief Mary Jane Hizon.
Amy was stopped by alert officers after trying to slip past departure counters. Upon inspection, she could not provide her passport or boarding pass, claiming they were held by an unidentified man she had met at a restaurant near the terminal.
She showed a photo of her passport and boarding pass, which was later found to bear a counterfeit immigration stamp.
The victim admitted that she had seen a Facebook post offering escort services and paid P120,000 in multiple online bank transfers. She handed over her travel documents to the man, who instructed her to wait for an alleged escort.
Shortly before her supposed boarding time, she was told to hurry to the boarding gate, but was intercepted by BI officers. It was then that she discovered the man had blocked her communication.
BI Commissioner Joel Viado disclosed that the Bureau suspects Amy was targeted by a mail-order bride syndicate.
“Her admission that she was meeting a man she didn’t know in Bangkok raises serious red flags. This case highlights the dangers of illegal schemes that prey on vulnerable individuals seeking better opportunities,” said Viado.
“We urge everyone to exercise caution and always follow proper immigration procedures to avoid falling victim to these predators.”
The victim has been referred to the inter-agency council against trafficking for assistance.IMT
