BI rescues scam victim before flight

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has intercepted an alleged scam victim that was tricked into paying P120,000 for immigration assistance in securing employment overseas.

Mary Hizon, Bureau of Immigration's Immigration Protection and Border Enforcement Section chief, said that a victim has been caught on Jan. 2 after attempting to pass through immigration inspection by posing as a tourist bound for Bangkok, Thailand.

The victim tried to bypass departure counters and was not able to present a passport or boarding pass.

According to the victim, she found a Facebook post offering immigration assistance and transferred the required payment via online banking. She also handed her travel documents to the suspect, who eventually blocked her.

BI Commissioner Joel Viado said that the bureau suspects that that victim has been targeted by mail-order bride syndicates.

The victim was directed to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking for necessary assistance.