Filipina cheated us with fake visas, says group

Filipino workers outside the Jalan Patani police station after lodging a report today.

GEORGE TOWN: A group of Filipino workers here today claimed they have been cheated by a Filipina who offered to extend their work visas at a cost of RM10,000 to RM20,000 each.

The woman had had a “high success” rate in extending such visas in the past, they said, and had personally affixed immigration employment passes on the passports once “approved by the authorities”, the group said.

Pinoy Support Group Penang chief Lolita Pranggos said more than 20 of her clients were left in the lurch as they learnt that the visas, despite looking authentic, were fake.

She said the woman had come highly recommended by the Filipino workers in Penang as she offered to “clear” any outstanding immigration offences for RM3,000. For RM9,000 onwards, she said she could secure one a work visa.

Pranggos said the woman moonlighted as an immigration services agent while working as a full-time kindergarten teacher.

She said 14 police reports had been lodged against her, including five at the Jalan Patani police station today.

“Some of the victims have given their savings and even borrowed from loan sharks to get their visas,” she told reporters outside the station.

“They do now know what to do after ;learning that they were given fake work visas.

“We plead to police and the immigration authorities to help legalise them.”

One of the victims, who wanted to be known as Dennis, said he had paid RM10,000 for a general worker visa.

He said the visa was given to him in February. However, a friend who received the same pass found out that it was fake and was deported by the Thailand authorities.

“I have checked with another immigration agent in Kuala Lumpur and was told that the work visa I was given ‘does not exist’,” the 55-year-old said.

He said a video of the woman sticking an employment pass on a passport had been posted on Instagram, but police dismissed it as “merely a TikTok video” and not incriminating enough.

FMT has contacted police and is trying to reach the Filipina for comment. - FMT