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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Public warned vs love scams using BI's name

Public warned vs love scams using BI's name

Published Jan 14, 2026 10:31 am
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has warned the public against online love scams that use the name of the bureau to deceive their victims.
In a statement, the BI advised the public “to be cautious when dealing with online acquaintances, especially those who later claim to have sent packages or request money for alleged government fees.”
It also said the public should immediately verify suspicious emails or online messages and to refrain from sending money or personal information.
The warning was issued after a woman approached the BI to seek help in verifying an email allegedly sent by an immigration official regarding the delivery of a parcel abroad.
“The email claimed that the parcel, supposedly sent by her foreign boyfriend, had been ‘intercepted by the Bureau of Immigration under the Ministry of Interior’ and required the payment of fees for its release,” the BI said.
It pointed out that “the email was fraudulent and forms part of a romance or love scam scheme.”
It said it does not intercept parcels, facilitate deliveries, or collect fees for the release of packages, and “it does not operate under a ‘Ministry of Interior.’”
It also said its mandate is limited to immigration control and border management, and “not the handling or clearance of parcels.”
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