Always check if social media pages are verified and authentic.
This was the advice of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) following reports received by the bureau about fake social media accounts and email addresses bearing the BI's name.
In a statement Thursday, March 7, BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said these spurious accounts and email addresses were allegedly using the BI's name and identity to extort innocent civilians.
Last February, Tansingco reported, he received information about an email address sending invoices requesting P25,000 for a supposed package from Japan that was being held for release.
He shared that they received another similar complaint, extorting the victims P3,000 for the release of a package from Syria.
“In another complaint reported to us, a victim was being asked P20,000 for the release of luggage being held at the airport,” Tansingco said, adding that the BI is not in any way connected to the release of parcels or cargoes.
The BI Chief said that they have forwarded details of the case to the Cybercrime investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) for investigation.
It can be recalled that in 2022, the BI inked a coordination agreement with the CICC to strengthen efforts against cybercrimes.
#WeTakeAStand #OpinYon #CICC #FakeSocialMediaAccountAwareness