CICC identifies 8 fake eTravel websites

The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) has identified eight fake eTravel websites that charge up to P5,000 for a travel pass that is supposed to be free.

According to the CICC, these following eTravel websites are fake: 

• https://www.philippines-entrydocs.com
• https://www.sg-travellingdoc.com
• https://www.entrydocuments-ca.com
• https://www.enjoyvisiting-nz.com
• https://www.travel-onlineprocessing.com
• https://www.onlinetravel-application.com
• https://www.ph-discovers.com
• https://www.philippines-vacationsph.com

The CICC said it is now investigating if the perpetrators behind these fake eTravel websites are Filipinos or foreigners, according to Saleema Refran's report on Unang Balita on Friday.

“Sila ay naka-based sa labas ng bansa. One is in Spain. We're doing efforts to block them para hindi na makadali ng mga inbound Philippines,” CICC executive director Alex Ramos said.

(They are based outside the country. One is in Spain. We're exerting efforts to block them so no more inbound travelers to the Philippines will be victimized.)

Ramos said the CICC is planning to file a complaint against the platforms hosting these fake eTravel websites as they have regulations to cancel an account that violates the law.

Bureau of Immigration (BI) spokesperson Dana Sandoval reminded the public that travel passes are free.

Aside from money, Sandoval said these fake eTravel websites are also asking for sensitive information from travelers.

“Iba-iba po ang presyo as much as $100 ang sinisingil po nitong eTravel website na ito. Kinukuha po ang information ng mga individuals na nagsusulat dito,” she said.

(These fake eTravel websites charge as much as $100. They are also getting information from the individuals who use them.)

The legitimate eTravel website of the government is etravel.gov.ph.

eTravel is an online portal of the Philippine national government for the implementation of an electronic passenger registration and Health Declaration Checklist.

For border security and tourism-related economic analytics, it is also used by the Bureau of Quarantine, Bureau of Immigration, Bureau of Customs, and the Department of Tourism. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA Integrated News