Be wary of clickbaits, online scams amid holiday season: ACG

She said people should be more careful in spending their money, especially in online transactions. (Pexels photo)

MANILA – The Philippine National Police-Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) warned the public to be more cautious of “clickbaits” or links being used by online scammers to lure victims, especially amid the holiday season.

In a radio interview Tuesday, ACG spokesperson Lt. Michelle Sabino said fraudsters are also working double time to defraud people of their bonuses and incentives amid the looming implementation of the SIM Card Registration Law before year-end.

“Yes, (we have been receiving a lot of complaints lately), ang mga kawatan lahat pwedeng gawin paraan para makapanloko and generally lahat ginagawa na ang swindling, estafa, panloloko. Online buying or online selling, even investment scams (Yes [we have been receiving a lot of complaints lately], the criminals are doing everything and every means to try and trick people and generally they are doing everything – swindling, estafa. Online buying or online selling, even investment scams),” Sabino said.

She said people should be more careful in spending their money, especially in online transactions.

“Dahil (Because it’s) Christmas, may bonus and capacity to spend or purchase, it is higher than normal that they attack during these times,” Sabino added.

Effective Dec. 27, users are required to register their SIM cards within 180 days from the effectivity of the law, with an extended registration period of not longer than 120 days.

Failure to register a SIM within this period will result in its automatic deactivation but may still be reactivated after registration and must not be made later than five days from deactivation.

“If registered, their scamming world will become smaller, because they can be easily identified unlike now, they are hiding under the anonymity of the web,” Sabino said.

Meanwhile, ACG operatives rescued a 12-year-old girl from her stepmother who was using her for illegal activities.

In a statement, the ACG said the victim identified only as “Mika,” was asked by her stepmother to withdraw the cash sent by her victim to a remittance center.

The operation stemmed from the complaint of the 62-year-old man who narrated that sometime in November, he met the suspect on social media and they soon developed a relationship.

After gaining his trust and confidence, the suspect identified as Adja Luwande de Guzman a.k.a. “Charm” (Jane Del Rosario) who pretended to be a nurse, informed him that she needs to undergo surgery due to Covid-19.

She then asked for immediate financial assistance from her virtual boyfriend.

The victim, believing it was true, sent PHP267,600 in total via digital wallet and online bank transactions.

Another Facebook account named “Thelma Del Rosario” contacted the victim pretending to be the sister of the victim’s sweetheart.

She told him that “Jane” died during the operation and requested additional financial assistance from him for burial assistance and cremation in the amount of PHP32,000.

The complainant realized that he became a “love scam” victim and sought the help of ACG, which launched an entrapment.

During the operation, “Mika” admitted that she was merely asked by the suspect to claim the money for her.

The minor was then turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development for proper disposition.

The biological mother of “Mika” appeared before the ACG and said she is willing to file a case of child abuse against her former husband and his live-in partner.