The Bureau of Immigration (BI) expressed alarm over recurrent interceptions of Senegalese citizens using fake documentation.
Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said he is concerned over the recent interceptions of Senegal nationals who were caught in possession of passports with fraudulent BI stamps and visas.
“This implies that there might be a syndicate that defrauds these Africans and offers to fix their documents, but instead gives them fake ones,” he stated.
The BI earlier reported intercepting in March three Senegalese passengers, including two minors, at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (NAIA) for attempting to leave with fake BI stamps in their passports.
Further examination of their passports by the BI’s forensic documents laboratory revealed that the Schengen visas pasted on their passports are also counterfeit.
Earlier this month, the BI also reported intercepting the application of a Senegal man with a fake BI stamp impressed on his passport.
Following the interceptions, the BI issued immigration alerts on the schemes. “Foreign nationals in the country should not seek the assistance of fixers that promise to process your papers illegally,” Tansingco said.
“Report these fixers immediately to the police so they can be arrested and jailed,” he added.
