Trafficking victim found with fake immigration stamps

DAVAO CITY – The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has reported the interception of another trafficking victim at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado announced that the incident occurred on October 27 at NAIA Terminal 3. The 46-year-old female victim, whose identity is withheld to comply with anti-trafficking laws, was set to board an AirAsia flight to Macau when she was intercepted at the BI’s primary inspection counter.

Initially, the victim claimed to be a former Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) traveling to Macau for leisure. However, she later admitted that she intended to work there again without proper documentation.

She revealed that she had been promised easy immigration and document assistance through Facebook, unaware that it involved using a fake departure stamp on her passport.

The traffickers reportedly charged her P40,000 for the fraudulent escorting services. The BI’s forensic documents laboratory confirmed that the stamp was indeed counterfeit.

Viado expressed concern over the persistence of such schemes and urged aspiring overseas workers to be cautious of fraudulent immigration assistance that promises quick solutions. “It’s alarming to see that this scheme remains widespread. While these offers may seem enticing to unsuspecting victims, any assurance of success with minimal effort should raise immediate red flags,” he stated.

The victim has been referred to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) for assistance in filing cases against her recruiters.