THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) has warned the possible rise of so-called love scams following the country’s reopening of its borders to foreign tourists after two years of travel restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said these syndicates would abuse the vulnerability of Filipinos seeking biracial relationships.
These love scammers would usually meet with unsuspecting victims online and woo them with small gifts, promises of international travel, and marriage.
“With the reopening of our borders to foreign tourists comes the return of the ‘love scam,’” Morente said.
Upon the scammer’s arrival in the Philippines, Morente said, he will claim that he is being held by Immigration authorities, or sometimes by other government agencies.
“The scammer then will dupe his victim in depositing large sums of money in exchange for his freedom,” the BI chief said.
Morente issued the reminder after the BI received a request from another victim last Wednesday, who alleged that his partner was being held by officers at the Davao International Airport.
The victim showed screenshots of conversations with a man who pretended to be Morente, demanding payment in exchange for the release of her pseudo-lover.
The scammer claimed he is being held at the immigration counter for holding large sums of money in his hand carry bag.
“This scammer had the audacity to use my name for his scheme. It is not within our jurisdiction to check bags of arriving passengers. We are concerned with the person and their documents, and not his luggage,” Morente noted.
Upon checking, the BI found out that no such foreign national arrived in Davao.
“Do not fall prey to these swindlers and fraudsters who will promise you heaven and earth, only to be duped of your hard-earned money,” Morente warned.
It can be recalled that last month, the BI arrested three Nigerian nationals believed to be involved in this scheme.
