UK eyes crackdown on Pinoys with fake visas in 'ber' months

[LadyJ]

After noticing a spike in fraudulent visa applications in the Philippines, the United Kingdom will intensify its drive against such applications, especially in the '–ber' months.

The UK Border Agency, which will also improve coordination on the matter with Philippine authorities, warned Filipinos caught with fraudulent applications of up to 10 years in jail.

"We are intercepting increasing numbers of fraudulent applications, from 584 in 2007 to 657 last year, and we will continue our efforts, focusing especially on the peak periods of August and Christmas," said Ed Mackie, The UK Border Agency’s Regional Manager for Northeast Asia/Australasia.

According to Mackie, all applications are checked thoroughly with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) - Interpol Division to verify the documents.

The UK Embassy said the UK Border Agency and Philippine law enforcement agencies will seek to identify those providing and those seeking such false documentation.

Its website noted an official police referral program has been in operation since June 2007 in the Philippines.

Under the program, Filipinos who provide or submit forged visa documentation may be arrested and banned from making further applications for up to 10 years.

“We welcome genuine Filipino travelers to the UK, but it is an offence to submit forged documents to support your visa application. If you do, there is a high risk you will be caught and arrested," said Mackie.

He said applicants should make their applications in person, with the support of the staff at the Visa Application Centre, which will ensure the application is accurate.

Those who choose to pay an agent to manage the application should make sure they are properly licensed, he added.

“It is your responsibility to check your documents carefully and make sure they are genuine," he said.

The British Embassy said it has so far referred over 100 applicants to the program to date and will continue working closely with the police to prosecute fraudsters.

"Filipinos who provide or submit forged visa documentation may be arrested and will be banned from making further applications for up to ten years. All applicants are required to submit their biometric details (fingerprint scans and digital photo) and these records will be used to ensure that future applications from individuals who have used false or fraudulent documents are refused without question," it said. - GMANews.TV

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/170453/u...39ber39-months

[LadyJ]

Peak of fake UK visa applications start Aug.

MANILA, Philippines—August to Christmas is the peak period for the submission of fake documents for visa applications
to the United Kingdom, the UK embassy here said as it intensifies its drive against fraudulent visa applications in the country during this period.

Law enforcement agencies both in the Philippines and the UK continue to work together to identify not only those who submit fake documents for their visa applications, but also those who supply these fake documents, the embassy said in a statement warning against the practice.

Ed Mackie, UK Border Agency regional manager for northeast Asia and Australasia, said his office has been catching an increasing number of fraudulent applications over the years, from 584 in 2007 to 657 last year.

“We will continue our efforts,” he said. “All applications are checked thoroughly.”

Mackie said fraudulent applications are referred to the National Bureau of Investigation- Interpol Division. In operation since June 2007, this referral system has caught over 100 fraudsters.

To reduce such applications, he said his office is also seeking that maximum penalties possible be imposed on offenders.

Filipinos who provide or submit forged visa documentation may be arrested and will be banned from making further applications for up to ten years, according to the UK embassy.

“We have also introduced state-of-the-art online visa application and payment technology which will dramatically aid our efforts to stamp out fraudulent and forged applications,” Mackie said.

All applicants are required to submit their biometric details (fingerprint scans and digital photo) and these records will be used to ensure that future applications from individuals who have used false or fraudulent documents are refused without question, the embassy said.

“We welcome genuine Filipino travelers to the UK, but it is an offense to submit forged documents to support your visa application. If you do, there is a high risk you will be caught and arrested,” Mackie said.

He advised travelers to the UK to personally apply for UK visa through the Visa Application Centre, which will ensure the application is accurate.

“If you do choose to pay an agent to manage the application, it is important to make sure they are properly licensed. You can find all the information you need online or by contacting the call centre. It is your responsibility to check your documents carefully and make sure they are genuine,” Mackie added.

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/new...ions-start-Aug

[trader dave]

AGAIN A FEW MESS IT UP MAKE IT HARDER FOR GENUINE APPLICANTS

[MarBell379]

bugger.
Ours went in on August 4th, so any intensification of searches etc is going to impact us :((

[Mrs.JMajor]

Have they caught any one ? I wondered because filipino has a good reputation and if there is...I might straight forward tell it was the Indian country, or black people sorry to say that I just comment on what I watch the UK border force at skythree, they always caught a fraud documents, especially the bank statement, the woman from immigration call the bank and there is no such name file as depositor, so sound to me by this news they watch us strictly