Immigration agents arrested 19 foreigners in Muntinlupa city for their alleged involvement in drug trafficking and large-scale call center fraud. (File photo courtesy of BI Spokeswoman Dana Sandoval)
MANILA, Philippines — More than 400 foreigners will be blacklisted in the country after Bureau of Immigration (BI) found out that they were petitioned by fake companies to get them visas.
According to BI on Friday, three consecutive audit reports from its verification and compliance division revealed a total of 459 aliens have been using the bogus companies in their applications.
“These foreign nationals’ applications were processed using the services of accredited entities, authorized to apply on behalf of the foreign nationals,” BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said in a statement.
“However, through our audits, we discovered that the companies that petitioned them are spurious,” he revealed.
The immigration chief said at least 79 liaison officers allegedly involved in the scheme are under investigation by National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
Four immigration lawyers likewise face probe in relation to the modus.
The bureau uncovered the hoax last week on November 25.
The matter was reported to Department of Justice.
Meanwhile, BI said the visas of foreigners who are subject to blacklisting will be canceled.
These persons who are currently inside the country will also be ordered to leave.
BI said the audit was done after scam hubs and prostitution dens posing as legitimate companies were uncovered.
Their illegal activities were exposed when law enforcement agencies conducted raids.