BI cautious on rising ‘romance scams’

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) issued a public warning Tuesday against online “romance scams” after a woman reported being targeted by fraudsters who used the agency’s name to extort money.

The alert follows an incident in which a woman sought to verify a fraudulent email regarding a parcel allegedly sent by her foreign partner. The email claimed the package had been intercepted by the bureau “under the Ministry of Interior” and demanded payment for its release.

Immigration officials clarified that the bureau does not intercept parcels, process deliveries, or collect fees for packages. The agency further cited that its mandate is strictly limited to immigration control and border management.

The bureau also pointed out that the Philippines does not have a “Ministry of Interior,” but rather the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and the bureau itself operates under the Department of Justice.