Bureau of Immigration backs info drive vs online travel scams

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) said yesterday it joins other government and private agencies in disseminating information to combat online scams that target travelers.

In a statement, the BI said it is one with the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), which launched the “Online Bantay Lakbay” on March 13 in partnership with the Department of Transportation and Scam Watch Pilipinas.

“By raising awareness and promoting vigilance among travelers, we can effectively counter cybercrime and ensure a safer online environment,” BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said.

These scams include fake e-travel websites, posing a significant threat to consumer trust and confidence in online travel transactions, he added.

The bureau advised travelers to exercise caution when making travel arrangements online and to verify the legitimacy of websites and service providers before providing any personal or financial information.

Tansingco encouraged the public to report suspicious websites and online activities to the CICC through hotline 1326.