Warning raised against fake U.S. visa fixers

The Philippine Consulate yesterday sounded the alarm against an alleged swindler who has already gypped more than 20 Filipinos with thousands of dollars in exchange for illusory United States visa.

Consul Julia C. Heidemann said the victims have already lodged formal complaints against the suspect, whose name was withheld pending completion of the investigation and arrest, to the Department of Public Safety.

According to Ms. Heidemann, the suspect represents herself as capable of securing U.S. entry visa for her victims through American Embassies in the Republic of Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia.

The modus operandi was unearthed when several Filipinos approached U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service-Saipan Representative Oscar Martinez for the proper procedure in securing American entry visa.

Ms. Heidemann said the Filipinos, who turned out to be victims of the scam, were informed that the only way they could apply for a U.S. visa is through American Embassy in their country of origin.

That was the time they filed formal complaints to the Philippine Consulate Office which, in turn, referred the matter to the public safety department.

The victims reported the incident to the police Friday.

The consul said her office has also referred the matter to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the INS Office in Guam since the complaints involve a federal offense.

Ms. Heidemann said the suspect demanded between $2,000 and $3,000 from each of the victims in exchange of her facilitating their U.S. visa application in American consular offices in Koror and Pohnpei.

Ms. Heidemann added the suspect claimed to have personally traveled to Palau and Pohnpei to facilitate her victims’ U.S. visa application, which, she also claimed have all been disapproved.

“Of course that will be disapproved because the only way Filipinos can get U.S. visa is through the American Embassy in Manila. On the other hand, there was nothing to disapprove because no application was actually made,” she pointed out.

However, some of the victims were reportedly skeptical to come forward because they have entered the Northern Marianas as tourists and are afraid that they will be deported once the CNMI Department of Labor and Immigration learn of their status.

The suspect was also allegedly threatening the victims that she will report their immigration status to the CNMI government. The victims’ passports are reportedly still within the possession of the suspect.

Police are still establishing whether the suspect is part of a group or she has been operating alone while law enforcers are already working for her arrest.

Ms. Heidemann said this incident should alarm all the other Filipinos wishing to secure entry visa to either Guam and the mainland U.S., stressing that application and approval are transacted only at the U.S. Embassy in Manila.

She is also encouraging those who have been victimized by the same modus operandi to come forward and report the matter to proper authorities.