CFO BRIBERY COMPLAIN

[Hank_ 9,174]

^^ This. They (CFO) want to be certain that there is a USC waiting for the beneficiary in the USA, particularly the petitioner of the K-1 Visa.

Huh? Beneficiary can not get a K-1 visa without a U.S. petitioner, the K-1 visa in the passport provides the evidence of this.

[B_J 2,752]

When Jessa was doing her CFO, I got a phone call from her because they wanted my phone number. She gave them my cell, but that wasn't good enough - they wanted a land line. As luck would have it, I only have a cell phone. So, I gave her the only other phone number I knew - my brother's. But that worked.

The moral to the story: When doing CFO; just give them what they want, get your sticker, and move on.

[ssw 2]

Everyone's experience is different I understand. However I don't agree everyone is nice in CFO. My wife had very bad experience from CFO 2 days ago. First they asked her to get some paperwork, she came back with it and they said everything was good. After paying they started the counseling, instead of really "counseling". The woman asked questions like "do you really love your husband or just trying to be gold digger". Telling her in America husbands beat their wives. etc. I know they tried to be "real" but at least a bit professional, don't be an you know what. She already mad at that point, but she still tried to be nice and smile. After the counseling, they asked her for my birth certificate. My wife asked the woman why the website didn't stated that and also why didn't they ask for that before paying the money. Since whole day was gone, I told her go back next day and try use the copy of my passport. She said the same woman saw her next day and very rudely closed the window. She tried to ask another people, but they told her come back after 1pm ( It was at 7:30am) At the moment she couldn't take it no more, fed up and left. I told her just wait till I'm there at March and we go there together.

So I totally understand Stronggold and whoever had bad experience at CFO.

Edited March 27, 2014 by ssw

[Hank_ 9,174]

They look for the meek and shy... that is like blood in the water and they are the sharks. At CFO one must be self-assured, confident and look them in the eyes when speaking. Look at it as a test, they want to "know" the Filipina has the grit to take care of herself should a situation arise once in the states.

Don't get me wrong, I am not defending CFO... I think it is stupid and in essence a scam to get money.

Not sure what you think you are going to accomplish, you are not even allowed inside the building.

[sweet cakes 326]

For what it's worth, let me assure you that every applicant goes through the same procedure. I, like most applicants, was not as lucky as to have the opportunity in having my other half physically with me during that process. Anyway, only the applicant is allowed to go inside.

As for logic of their protocols in choosing their questions, we can only imagine. IMO, it's easier to just abide by their known requirements than to nurture negative emotions & think of several whys without having a single resolution in the end. There are a lot of online resources for what to expect in cfo, Hank's site being one. One can be prepared if one wants to. The one-on-one which most dread to go through is when the applicant needs to show his/her preparedness & confidence. Stubbornness and impatience won't help, as with every step of this journey.

[Messybrownhair 251]

ha.. in 2010 when I did my CFO, the guy actually said

"I don't care if the US Embassy gave you your visa, I have the power to keep you here."

[B_J 2,752]

I don't think anybody enjoys CFO but it's true what that guy said - it doesn't matter if you have a visa, they do have the power to keep you there. First, it is important to do what Hank said - be confident, know about your relationship. Just answer their questions, give them what they want, get your sticker, and move on.

The sad thing is - I think CFO could be a really good thing - if only it was done right.

[ssw 2]

Actually my wife is opposite of meek and shy, if she was tick off anymore that day she could have punch someone in the face. All those things they said in the counseling only work for girls that never been to a real world. I just think some people work there aren't really nice people. It's like going to DMV, some people there just don't care how much hassle you gone thru to get to that counter. You miss one paper they send you back and go thru that line again. Like I said everyone may have different experience there. I just wanted to showed my side of story disapproving how CFO run things.

[B_J 2,752]

Actually my wife is opposite of meek and shy, if she was tick off anymore that day she could have punch someone in the face. All those things they said in the counseling only work for girls that never been to a real world. I just think some people work there aren't really nice people. It's like going to DMV, some people there just don't care how much hassle you gone thru to get to that counter. You miss one paper they send you back and go thru that line again. Like I said everyone may have different experience there. I just wanted to showed my side of story disapproving how CFO run things.

Nobody is going to disagree that there are some people there that aren't nice at all. And I think they really enjoy the power they have and showing it off. But the thing is - they do have that much power. So getting angry at them won't help - I would guess that proving them wrong wouldn't help either....it would probably just make them mad, and remember they have all the power.

Just be strong, give them what they want, get the sticker, and give them the middle finger salute when you're back outside.

[Jeff @ Missy 9]

In my 3 1/2 years living in the Philippines I never once was asked nor did I ever pay a bribe. Now there are some shortcuts dealing with certain issues that some pesos will speed up and if it saves a huge amount of time that's great. I have never used a so called fixer either for vehicle registrations or visa issues cause I never had a problem. Being somewhat intelligent and playing by the rules gets you respect.

Now on the CFO issue...they ask for way more info than they need to the point it is ridiculous. The governments of the countries they are going to do background checks on the petitioners. The documents that ask for are totally redundant and none of their business in my opinion. Whoever is running the place must be a relative of some politician and are totally incompetent.

The CFO did by the way have a list of people who may have granted the sticker without following their rules and guidelines and warned the attendees not to deal with the prior employees or fixers or whoever they were. They should rename the"seminar" to something more fitting, seminars are information presented to the attendees, not a paperwork and question and answer nightmare. It's all about control...

[Tozi 0]

Bribery is alive and well at Manila CFO office my wife who just got her green card was having a hard time at the CFO office due to supposedly signing up for the wrong class. She was told to reschedule 2 weeks from now but after a few pleas she was told to come back after 3pm and after $5000 pesos changed hands with no receipt. The visa sticker was applied. She was told by the airport immigration she didn't even need it.......due to already permanent resident

[Hank_ 9,174]

Bribery is alive and well at Manila CFO office my wife who just got her green card was having a hard time at the CFO office due to supposedly signing up for the wrong class. She was told to reschedule 2 weeks from now but after a few pleas she was told to come back after 3pm and after $5000 pesos changed hands with no receipt. The visa sticker was applied. She was told by the airport immigration she didn't even need it.......due to already permanent resident

Huh? Your wife has a green card and was trying to attend CFO? CFO isn't need if a person has a green card, only required for exiting emigrates.

By they way, the person that took the bride can be reported... they will be history in short order.

[Greenbaum 12,259]

Here is a rather old CFO bribery thread with an email address to report the person. I'm not sure if the email address is still current. Hank has an email address maybe he can provide it for you to use.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/455949-cfo-bribery-complain/

[Tahoma 2,292]

Here is a rather old CFO bribery thread with an email address to report the person. I'm not sure if the email address is still current. Hank has an email address maybe he can provide it for you to use.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/455949-cfo-bribery-complain/

You just linked us to the thread we're on right now!

[Greenbaum 12,259]

Tahoma, on 27 Feb 2016 - 03:00 AM, said:

You just linked us to the thread we're on right now!

Yeah I guess I did, but going back and looking at the thread it's the first page and the first entry that has the email address followed by additional experiences.