'Beautiful lady' allegedly posing as BI agent nabbed

MANILA, Philippines — A woman suspected for posing as an agent of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and charging up to P25,000 to facilitate travel documents has been arrested, the bureau said on Tuesday.

Immigration Commissioner Siegfred Mison said that operatives from the National Bureau of Investigation and BI identified the suspect as Jennifer Ching Javier, who uses the name "Jana Reyes," who was apprehended in a sting operation.

A report from BI said Javier's alleged victims described her as a "beautiful lady, 5'6" tall and with fair complexion."

Javier's clients alleged that she asked a minimum of P10,000 to facilitate the departure of passengers bound for Dubai, where they will attempt to find employment even without necessary government permits.

Javier would allegedly send text messages to victim and introduced herself as Jana Reyes, an Immigration officer, offering to help them depart for Dubai.

"Reyes reportedly operated both at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and outside the airport, particularly in Mall of Asia and other shopping malls," the BI statement noted.

BI Intelligence Agents set up the sting at the Mall of Asia in Pasay where Javier was said to be meeting clients.

Javier now faces charges for usurpation of authority and forgery.

She is detained at the Pasay City Jail as she await a resolution from the Pasay City Prosecutor's Office.