The Bureau of Immigration (BI) collared a fake agent posing as an immigration officer who promised to facilitate the departure of prospective overseas workers without proper documents.

Immigration Commissioner Siegfred Mison disclosed on Tuesday that BI operatives arrested certain Jennifer Ching Javier, alias “Jana Reyes,” in an entrapment operation through the help of her two latest victims.

Reyes reportedly operated in Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and shopping malls, victimizing unsuspecting individuals by charging them P25,000 for employment in Dubai even without necessary overseas permits.

Her recent victims, Arlyn Aceron, 33, and Magnolia Raga, 25, were recently offloaded from a flight bound for Dubai. They have paid Reyes P16,000 and P10,000, respectively.

BI said the suspect, facing usurpation of authority and forgery, is now detained at the Pasay City Jail. The Pasay City Prosecutor’s Office has not issued a resolution since her arrest, according to BI’s Intelligence Division.

The Immigration agency has repeatedly issued warnings against travelers, including foreign nationals, against lawless elements posing as fake immigration agents to extort money. (Ron B. Lopez)