10/02/2025
07 February 2025
BI INTERCEPTS COUPLE AT NAIA FOR FAKE NETHERLANDS VISA
PASAY, PhilippinesโIn line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.โs directive to strengthen border security and combat human trafficking, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) intercepted a married couple at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) for attempting to leave the country with a counterfeit Netherlands visa.
BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the agency remains committed to protecting the countryโs borders from fraudsters and syndicates exploiting Filipinos.
โOur officers are well-trained to detect fraudulent travel documents,โ said Viado. โWe warn the public against unscrupulous groups offering fake visas. These schemes not only waste hard-earned money but also put travelers at risk of legal consequences.โ
BI immigration protection and border enforcement (I-PROBES) chief Mary Jane Hizon reported that the couple, aged 26 and 28, attempted to board a Cathay Pacific flight to Amsterdam, pretending to be tourists. However, immigration officers found their Netherlands visa suspicious.
A thorough examination by the BIโs forensic documents laboratory confirmed that the visa was counterfeit. Upon questioning, the couple admitted to paying P268,000 for their travel arrangements, which included the fake visa.
Viado stressed that the BI remains vigilant against immigration fraud, adding that individuals caught using falsified documents will face strict legal consequences.
The couple was turned over to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) for further investigation. #
