Filipinos were the users of most of the over 2,000 fake engineering diplomas confiscated in Saudi Arabia in 2014.
This was according to a list prepared by Saudi Council Engineers (SCE), which said of the 2,000 confiscated bogus diplomas, 460 or 23 percent came from the Philippines.
The Philippines was followed by India (250), Egypt (180), Pakistan (110) and Jordan (50), according to a report on Arab News, citing sources.
Red Bual of the Filipino Computer Literacy Program said the report will have a large impact on the perception of skilled overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Saudi Arabia.
An investigation is currently being conducted by the Philippine Consulate in Jeddah to verify the claims of SCE and to learn the exact number of Filipinos who used fake certificates.
Consul General Leo Tito Ausan Jr. admitted to GMA News Online that many Filipinos walk in to the consulate to have documents authenticated, only to have these confiscated after they were proven fake.
Ausan said penalties for possessing fake documents in Saudi Arabia vary per case, as it depends on the judge’s decision.
However, he emphasized that faking seals entails a two-year jail sentence and lashes.
Source: gmanetwork
