BI on alert vs. Senegalese using fake documents

The BI earlier reported intercepting three Senegalese passengers, including two minors, at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport for attempting to leave with fraudulent Immigration stamps in their passports. (File Photo: Bureau of Immigration, Republic of the Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA – The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has alerted its personnel at the airports following several interceptions of Senegalese using fake travel documentation.

BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco expressed concern over the number 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 gave them fake ones,” he said in a statement.

At the same time, the BI chief warned foreigners in the country not to fall prey to syndicates and report them to authorities in case they have encountered these unscrupulous individuals.

“Foreign nationals in the country should not seek the assistance of fixers that promise to process your papers illegally,” he said.

“Report these fixers immediately to the police so they can be arrested and jailed,” Tansingco added.

The BI earlier reported intercepting three Senegalese passengers, including two minors, at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport for attempting to leave with fraudulent Immigration stamps in their passports.

Further examination of their travel documents by the BI’s forensic documents laboratory revealed that the Schengen visas pasted on their passports are also counterfeit.

The Bureau also reported intercepting the application of a Senegal man with a fake BI stamp impressed on his passport early this month.