Swedish passport holder arrested as 'impostor' at NAIA

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration intercepted an “impostor” at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 on January 1.

In a statement on Saturday, January 10, the bureau said it blocked the exit of Nimo Ahmed Hassan, 21, a female Swedish passport holder, after she was referred for secondary inspection by primary immigration officers.

Hassan attempted to depart for Italy on a Qatar Airways flight when officers noticed discrepancies in her documents.

While the passport itself was found to be authentic, Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said it clearly indicated that Hassan was not the rightful owner of the document.

She was identified as an impostor from East Africa, although investigations are ongoing to determine her true identity and locate her actual travel documents.

Hassan was immediately arrested and taken to the bureau’s holding facility, where she will remain while facing deportation proceedings.