BI warns of scammer impersonating commissioner

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) issued a warning Wednesday against a sophisticated scam involving individuals who impersonate Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado to solicit money from agency personnel.

The alert follows a targeted fraud attempt on 10 February against a provincial office head. According to bureau reports, the employee was contacted by someone claiming to be an associate of a high-ranking government official and was instructed to download the Signal messaging app.

On the app, the employee received messages from an account using Viado’s name and details. The impersonator ordered the immediate transfer of P50,000 to a digital bank account, claiming the funds were for a “forgotten pledge” to a foundation.

The scammer promised the employee would be reimbursed following a meeting with the Secretary of Justice.

Sensing an irregularity, the employee verified the request through official internal channels and confirmed that Viado had issued no such order. Despite the employee’s hesitation, the scammer continued to demand updates and issued veiled threats, claiming he would personally visit the employee’s office if the money was not sent.

Viado categorically denied authorizing any requests for funds and characterized the incident as a social engineering scheme.

“The Bureau of Immigration will never solicit or instruct any employee to transfer personal funds for donations, pledges, or any activity through private messaging applications,” Viado said. “This is clearly a scam using my name.”

Viado also urged all personnel and the public to remain vigilant against name-dropping and manufactured urgency. He emphasized that all legitimate bureau communications are conducted through verifiable, official channels.

The matter has been referred to law enforcement authorities for investigation and the filing of criminal charges. The bureau requested that any suspicious messages requesting money or personal information be reported immediately to management.