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BI warns: 'Do not buy overseas employment certificates in social media'

Philippines | National

BI warns: 'Do not buy overseas employment certificates in social media'

By Jeffrey Damicog

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Wednesday, May 29, warned the public against buying overseas employment certificates (OES) in social media.

“Aspiring OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) should not buy their permits online as this is a scam. Always ensure that you go through legal means when departing as overseas workers,” Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said.

Tansingco issued the warning after two Filipinos were apprehended at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) at the Clark International Airport (CIA) for presenting fake OECs to immigration officers.

“We have a data-sharing agreement with the DMW (Department of Migrant Workers) allowing us to instantly check in the database if these certificates are legitimate,” he said. .

Last May 24, a 49-year-old Filipina was intercepted at the CIA for presenting a fake OEC. The BI said the woman claimed she was a former OFW who was being redeployed to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

“During secondary inspection, she confessed that the fake OEC was bought via WhatsApp, and she paid P7,200 which she sent via money transfer,” the BI said.

Last May 26, immigration officers intercepted at NAIA a 25-year-old Filipina who also presented a fake OEC.

The BI said: “The primary inspection officer observed several discrepancies in her documents and referred her for secondary inspection. Verifications exposed that she submitted a counterfeit employment certificate. She allegedly obtained the employment certificate from a Facebook account called 'OEC Appointment' for a fee of P500.”

Related Tags

Bureau of Immigration

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