7-2-2025 (MANILA) Immigration authorities at Manila’s premier airport have thwarted an attempted journey to Amsterdam by a Filipino couple caught with fraudulent Dutch visas, marking another victory in the ongoing battle against travel document forgery.
The pair were intercepted during routine pre-departure screening at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) when alert Border Control Officers noticed irregularities in their Netherlands visa documentation. The incident, which occurred earlier this week, led to an immediate investigation by immigration specialists.
Following a thorough forensic analysis of the travel documents, Bureau of Immigration (BI) experts conclusively determined the visas were counterfeit. When confronted with the evidence, the couple acknowledged they had parted with 268,000 Philippine pesos to secure their travel arrangements through unofficial channels.
Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado issued a stark warning about the dangers of engaging with visa fraud syndicates. “These criminal enterprises prey upon the aspirations of our countrymen seeking opportunities abroad. The consequences extend far beyond monetary loss, potentially resulting in serious legal ramifications for those involved,” he cautioned.
The matter has now been escalated to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) for comprehensive investigation, as authorities work to trace the network behind the sophisticated forgery operation.
