January 6, 2025 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has intercepted a trafficking victim who was reportedly duped into paying P120,000 for a fake escort service to work abroad.
The victim, identified only as Amy, 27, was apprehended at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 on Jan. 2 for attempting to bypass immigration inspection. She pretended to be a tourist bound for Bangkok.
Amy was not able to present her passport and boarding pass, claiming these were held by an unidentified man she met in a restaurant near the airport.
The victim instead presented a photo of her boarding pass and passport, which was found to have a fake immigration stamp.
The BI said Amy admitted that she discovered a Facebook post advertising immigration escort services for a fee.
Amy paid P120,000 in multiple online bank transfers.
She said she handed over her travel documents to the man and was instructed to wait for an alleged escort.
BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the bureau suspects that Amy was lured by a mail-order bride ring.
“Her admission that she was meeting a man she didn’t know in Bangkok raises red flags,” he said.
“This case highlights the dangers of illegal schemes that prey on vulnerable people seeking better opportunities. We urge everyone to exercise caution and follow proper immigration procedures to avoid falling victim to these predators,” Viado added.
The victim was endorsed to the Inter-agency Council against Trafficking for assistance.
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