The Bureau of Immigration (BI) warned the public against online love scams, especially during the Valentine’s season, when fraudsters often take advantage of unsuspecting victims.
BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval said the agency continues to receive reports of Filipinos being deceived by individuals posing as foreign nationals who claim to have been detained by immigration authorities upon arrival in the Philippines.
In a common scheme, Sandoval said a scammer pretends to be a foreigner who has developed a romantic relationship with a victim online. After promising to visit the Philippines, they claim to have been stopped at the airport for carrying large sums of cash or expensive gifts, such as an engagement ring. A fake immigration officer then contacts the victim, demanding money to secure the foreigner’s release.
In one case reported in August, a victim was tricked into paying P70,000 after being told her foreign fiancé was being held for money laundering violations. Other victims have been scammed into paying for the supposed release of their partners, only to later realize they had been deceived.
The BI reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Filipinos from fraudulent schemes, in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to strengthen border security and prevent criminal activities that exploit innocent individuals.
For verification, the public is encouraged to contact the BI’s hotline at (02) 8 465-2400 or visit the agency’s official website at www.immigration.gov.ph.
