A Filipina who was offered on social media to work abroad by a fake immigration officer was intercepted at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) last Jan. 8 before she could board her flight to Taiwan.
Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Norman G. Tansingo said the Filipina whom he identified as "Ria" was subjected to secondary inspection due to "inconsistencies in her documentations."
The woman subsequently revealed during secondary inspection “she was actually bound for Albania in Southern Europe where she was recruited to work in an electric company," Tansingco said.
“Ria later admitted that that she was offered escorting services in exchange for P120,000. However, she haggled and the amount was reportedly lowered to P80,000, including her flight tickets,” the BI said.
At the airport, the BI said "she met her supposed escort in one of the food establishments open to the public, and she was asked to pay an additional P67,000 which she hesitantly paid.”
“Her supposed escort introduced herself as an immigration employee, who even asked for an additional P10,000, which Ria did not pay," it said.
“When she was referred for secondary inspection, she sent a message to her escort, who said that it was just part of the procedure,” it added.
It said the case has been been referred to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) which vowed to run after her illegal recruiters.
“These recruiters will sweet talk you into giving your hard-earned money to them,” Tansingco lamented.
“In many cases, they will promise you assistance, only to leave you hanging at the end,” he said.