- The DFA warns Filipinos that there are cases of passport forgery in Dubai
- The agency says that two cases of fake passport extensions were recorded in just two weeks
- The consulate in Dubai has tapped police authorities to help identify the culprits of the scam
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has warned Filipinos working and residing in Dubai that there is a syndicate offering fake passport extensions bearing an allegedly forged signature of Consul Ferdinand Flores.
In an article written by Rie Takumi for GMA News Online, it was disclosed that the Philippine Consulate General in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have received at least two reports of cases involving tampered passports over the course of two weeks.
One victim had allegedly paid an amount of 120 dirhams (approximately P1,550) for emergency passport extension, in addition to the renewal fee of 240 dirhams (around P3,100).
Another victim was even asked to pay 700 dirhams (about P9,000) just to get an extension stamp bearing Flores’ signature.
According to Consul General Paul Raymond Cortes, the consulate has stopped extending the validity of passports for mere purposes of visa stamping and other travels since January 1; with the exemption of those who have medical and family emergencies.
For his part, Deputy Consul General Giovanni Palec has discouraged Filipinos to rely on the services offered by scammers; saying that the electronic passport system implemented by the DFA allows immigration officials to check passports’ original expiration dates.
“Even if you extend it, once you pass through the immigration, it will still show that it has already expired. That’s why we don’t do extensions anymore and besides a new passport can now be issued in three weeks time,” Palec said.
The DFA has already sought the assistance of government authorities in Dubai to identify the culpirts behind the incidents of forgery.
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