Advisory on Fake Travel Documents for Italy and France

24 August 2006

The Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong wishes to warn all Filipinos planning to work in Italy and France about a scam being perpetrated by illegal recruiters in the Philippines that offers spurious passports, visas and non-existing jobs in exchange for a large amount of money.

In a report to the Department of Foreign Affairs, Consul General Alejandrino A. Vicente said three Filipinos were apprehended and prosecuted this month in Hong Kong for using forged Philippine passports with fake Italian and Schengen visas. The three Filipinos were sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment each for the charge.

Under the laws of Hong Kong, anyone who uses a forged travel document commits an offense which has a maximum penalty of 14 years’ imprisonment and a fine of HK$150,000 (US$19,355).

Three victims were enticed to pay amounts ranging from P85,000 to P450,000 each for their plane tickets, forged passports and fake employment visas for Italy or France. Two of the victims were arrested while in transit in Hong Kong while the third one was apprehended upon arrival in Rome and deported back to Hong Kong by Italian immigration authorities.

“The Consulate has been warning Filipino nationals to exercise caution on such dubious offers from recruiters promising job opportunities in Italy or France using fake travel documents. It is unlawful to use forged travel documents and offenders are likely to be prosecuted. Filipino nationals wishing to seek employment abroad should first consult the nearest Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) office to obtain accurate information on the application process for overseas employment and
an appropriate working visa,” Consul General Vicente said.

The Consulate has also been asking Filipinos currently employed in Hong Kong to advise their relatives or friends in the Philippines to first inquire from POEA before making any decision to accept job offers to work in Italy or France and should never use fake travel documents.

Based on the cases apprehended by the Hong Kong Immigration authorities, it was established that the “middlemen” involved were from the provinces of Batangas and Pampanga.