BI tells public not to fall for love scams

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Tuesday warned the public against recent incidents of love scams targeting Filipina women.

According to a statement, the BI recently assisted two Filipina women who were victims of said incidents.

On May 15, a Filipino woman reached out to the BI for verification after her American partner was allegedly held at the airport with a P40,000 fine for arriving with undocumented foreign currency beyond the legal amount.

Another request for verification was sent by another Filipina with a Korean partner allegedly detained at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport for the same issue, and claimed that a demand for a $350 fine was sent to her by a fake BI Facebook page.

“[BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco] clarified that immigration does not deal with incoming currency nor with luggage, thus the supposed order is a scam. He said that he is glad that there is more awareness now and that people are coming forward to verify demands for payment,” the statement read.

The BI encourages the public with the same dilemma to request verification from the BI’s official page or via their hotline at +632 8 4652400. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/LDF, GMA Integrated News