BI warns public against fake eTravel sites

IMMIGRATION ADVISORY The BI reminded the public that use of the “eTravel” website is free of charge after some passengers claimed they were charged thousands of dollars when they registered on sites that turned out to be fake. —INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) warned the public against fake websites that charge and collect payments for registering on the government’s electronic travel declaration system called “eTravel.”

Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco issued the warning on Wednesday after receiving reports about passengers complaining that they paid fees ranging from P3,000 to P5,000 when they registered on the platform.

According to the bureau, the fees charged by the scammers were usually in US dollars.

Launched earlier this year, eTravel is the single data collection platform for integrated border control, health surveillance and economic data analysis for passengers arriving in and leaving the Philippines.

“The eTravel registration process is absolutely free of charge. We, therefore, advise the traveling public to register only [on] the government’s official website at etravel.gov.ph.,” Tansingco said.

The bureau reported that some of its immigration officers assigned at Ninoy Aquino International Airport reported cases in which some passengers were surprised when the digital QR code they presented could not be accessed in the BI’s system.

Belated realization

“It is only when they encounter our officers at the airport that these passengers would realize they have been duped by these fraudsters and scammers [on] the internet,” Tansingco said.

The immigration commissioner called on the public to be wary of fraudulent websites charging fees and to report these to the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (cicc.gov.ph/report).