Filipino couple with fake Netherlands visas stopped from leaving PH
A Filipino couple with fake visas from the Netherlands was stopped from leaving the Philippines, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said on Friday, Feb. 7.
BI Commissioner Joel Anthony M. Viado said the couple, whose names were withheld and aged 26 to 28, were intercepted by immigration officers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) last Feb. 2.
“Our officers are well-trained to detect fraudulent travel documents,” said Viado.
“We warn the public against unscrupulous groups offering fake visas. These schemes not only waste hard-earned money but also put travelers at risk of legal consequences,” he added.
The BI said the couple have been turned over to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) for further investigation.
Citing a report from the BI’s Immigration Protection and Border Enforcement (I-PROBES), the bureau said the couple claimed to be tourists and attempted to board a flight to Amsterdam.
“However, immigration officers found their Netherlands visas suspicious, and a thorough examination by the BI’s forensic documents laboratory confirmed that the visas were counterfeit,” it added.
During interrogation, the BI said “the couple admitted to paying P268,000 for their travel arrangements, which included the fake visas.”