BI rescues 'mail-order bride' scheme victim at NAIA

Immigration Authorities intercepted a female passenger suspected of falling victim to an alleged mail order bride scheme at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

In a news release Monday, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said the 22-year-old victim attempted to board a flight to Shanghai, China last January 14 when stopped by immigration officers.

The woman initially claimed she was visiting her husband in China, whom she married after a three-year relationship. However, BI officers grew suspicious of her story due to inconsistent details.

The victim later admitted to meeting her partner via an online app on November 21, 2024. They met in person the following day and then got married two days after in exchange for P50,000.

She is now under the custody of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking for further investigation and the filing of appropriate charges.

“Social media makes recruitment for this scheme quick,” said Immigration Commissioner Joel Viado.

“In previous cases, Filipinas are trapped in these pseudo-marriages and are made to do domestic work without pay because they are ‘married ‘already to their foreign partners,” Viado added. —Sundy Locus/RF, GMA Integrated News