Immigration bureau raises alarm vs. Senegalese using fake documents

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has raised its alarm following recurring interceptions of Senegalese using fake documents.

Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco made the remark after the recent interceptions of Senegal nationals who were caught with fake BI stamps in their passports and visas.

“This implies that there might be a syndicate that defrauds these Africans, and offers to fix their documents, but instead gives them fake ones,” Tansingco said in a statement posted on the bureau's Facebook page on Tuesday.

Three Senegalese passengers, including two minors, were earlier intercepted at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) for attempting to leave with fake BI stamps in their passports.

The BI forensic documents laboratory also found out that the Schengen visas pasted on their passports are also counterfeit upon further examination of their passports.

The agency also intercepted the application of a Senegal national with a fake BI stamp impressed on his passport earlier this month.

“Foreign nationals in the country should not seek the assistance of fixers that promise to process your papers illegally,” Tansingco said. 

“Report these fixers immediately to the police so they can be arrested and jailed,” he added.

The BI said it also issued immigration alerts on the schemes for its frontliners. — Richa Noriega/RSJ, GMA Integrated News