BI warns public: Fake travel documents can be easily detected

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has warned the public against the use of fake documents for their travel abroad since the spurious documents can be easily detected by trained immigration officers and through the use of modern equipment.

The warning was issued by Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco who said that in 2023 the BI intercepted 241 spurious and counterfeit documents presented by travellers.

“Apart from our immigration officers who are skilled in detecting fraud, fake documents can already be detected by our modern equipment,” Tansingco said.

“Those who attempt to use spurious documents will definitely be intercepted,” he warned. 

The fake documents intercepted in 2023 included birth and marriage certificates used for visa applications, passports, visas and immigration stamps.

Tansingco said the BI is now at par with immigration agencies of other countries in detecting spurious documents used for travel requirements.

He said that among the equipment procured by BI were three new video spectral comparator which is used for advanced forensic-level document examination and can be used to check travel and identity documents including passports, identification cards, visas, and permits.

He also said that the bureau has two other video spectral comparator that were earlier donated by the Australian government’s Department of Home Affairs.