The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has raised the alarm over a renewed wave of online scams that falsely use the agency’s name to pressure people into sending money.
The advisory came after a report from a woman who received an email claiming to be from an immigration officer about a parcel allegedly sent to her from abroad.
In the message, the sender said the package had been seized by authorities and would only be released once certain charges were paid.
Immigration officials said the claim was entirely fabricated and consistent with schemes commonly linked to online romance or confidence scams.
The bureau explained that fraudsters often cloak their messages in official language and invented procedures to make them appear credible.
It clarified that the agency has no role in the processing, inspection, or release of parcels, and does not collect fees for such purposes.
The public was advised to remain cautious when dealing with online contacts who ask for money, verify suspicious communications with government offices, and report incidents to cybercrime authorities for proper action.
