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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider BI uncovers new online scam victimizing foreigners

BI uncovers new online scam victimizing foreigners

Published Jul 5, 2023 07:48 am
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has exposed a new online scam wherein foreign nationals are enticed with fraudulent entry visas worth up to P20,000. BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco issued an advisory cautioning the public against unscrupulous individuals who falsely claim to provide visa services approved by the bureau. According to Tansingco, the scammers employed deceptive tactics by utilizing the official BI logo and posing as representatives from the Philippine Consulate in Australia. They would then send instructions to applicants, demanding payment via money transfer—an unmistakable red flag. One victim, recognizing the suspicious nature of the transaction, reported the incident to the BI. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Tansingco disclosed that the BI has already collaborated with the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) as this particular scam falls under the purview of cybercrime. In light of this, he appealed to foreign individuals intending to visit the Philippines to refrain from engaging with scammers and instead obtain their entry visas through the official channels of the country's embassy or consulate. Tansingco further encouraged the public to promptly report any encounters with similar online offers to the BI and other law enforcement agencies.
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