THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) today issued a warning to the public regarding an extortion scheme that involves the use of the name of the agency’s officials.
The warning was made after BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado received a copy of a falsified document bearing his forged signature and that of an alleged immigration officer.
The document, dated April 2025 and addressed to a resident of Pampanga, referenced a fabricated case involving a foreign national who was supposedly detained for unauthorized entry using a private jet from Baghdad.
The fake letter, written in poor English and with numerous factual inconsistencies, directed the recipient, referred to to stop communicating with the said individual. It also cited legal threats under the Anti-Money Laundering Act and instructed her to contact a supposed officer via Facebook and a mobile number. The letter also mentioned unregistered payments allegedly made to a bank account.
The demand letter, Viado said, is suspected to be a modus to extort money in a love scam wherein victims are made to believe that their foreign partners that they met on the internet are being held at the airport by government personnel.
Viado condemned the scheme warning the public not to fall victim to such scams.
“These types of fraudulent documents are used by scammers to create fear and urgency,” said Viado. “Let me be clear: the Bureau does not authorize payments through personal accounts, nor do we issue instructions through unofficial channels. Do not fall for these types of scams,” he warned.
He urged the public to remain vigilant and immediately report any suspicious activity. Reports may be submitted through the BI’s official page at facebook.com/officialbureauofimmigration.
The Bureau is coordinating with law enforcement authorities to investigate the matter to identify those behind the scam.
