Filipinos Smuggled into Singapore with Fake Airplane Tickets

The Philippine embassy in Singapore warned against a human trafficking ring that is using fraudulent electronic plane tickets to smuggle Filipinas into Singapore.

The embassy cited that human traffickers entice their victims with false promises of high-paying decent jobs and minimal recruitment fees. They are then given a return e-ticket — sometimes faked with the help with travel agencies. Filipino tourists who travel abroad are required to purchase return tickets, in an effort to curb illegal immigration.

“Traffickers then extract profits from their victims by compelling them to repay their spurious debts ranging from S$1,200 up to S$6,000,” the embassy said.

The increased incidence of trafficking of Asian women, including Filipinas, to Singapore has prompted the United States’ Department of State to downgrade the city-state’s rating from Tier 1 in 2006 to Tier 2 in 2007.

For the full story, click here.