BI intercepts woman over alleged fake departure stamp

Another victim of an alleged fake departure stamp scheme was intercepted at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said Friday. 

According to the BI, the 46-year-old female victim, who attempted to board an AirAsia flight bound for Macau, was stopped by immigration officials after presenting an alleged fake departure stamp on her passport at the NAIA. 

“The victim initially presented herself as a former overseas Filipino worker (OFW) traveling to Macau for leisure as a tourist. However, she later admitted that she intended to work in Macau again without the proper documentation,” BI Commissioner Joel Viado said in a press statement.

The victim said alleged traffickers promised her easy immigration and document assistance through Facebook for a fee of P40,000, unaware it would involve affixing a fake departure stamp on her passport.

An examination on her stamp showed it was indeed counterfeit. 

“It’s alarming to observe that this scheme remains widespread. While these offers might seem enticing to unsuspecting victims, any assurance of success with minimal effort should raise immediate red flags,” Viado added. 

The victim was turned over to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), which will assist her in the filing a complaint.—Sundy Locus/AOL, GMA Integrated News