BI to deport 3 Nigerians in love scam

The Nigerians were reportedly involved in a love scam in which they tricked Filipino women online into sending them money. (INQUIRER.net stock image)

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) is set to deport three Nigerian men the agency arrested for allegedly scamming Filipino women they met online by pretending to have a romantic interest in them and tricking them into sending money.

The arrested foreigners were identified as Shaka Hashimu Dirisu, 41; Anih Chinedu Miracle, 27; and Gabriel Daniel Evans, 31.

Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said the three were facing deportation for overstaying, misrepresentation and for being undesirable aliens.

They are also being investigated for supposed links to a South African organized crime group and other criminal activities.

He added that the BI is also looking into the suspects’ possible cohorts who are still in the country.

Earlier this year, two Nigerians were also arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation for their alleged involvement in an online banking fraud that affected at least 700 depositors.

The BI repeated its warning against online romance scams as unscrupulous individuals or groups continued to target Filipino women. It advised the public to exercise vigilance to avoid being victimized by online syndicates.

—TINA G. SANTOS

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