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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Scam artists in COVID-19 vaccine slot sale to be prosecuted

Scam artists in COVID-19 vaccine slot sale to be prosecuted

Published May 22, 2021 01:35 pm

Persons behind the illegal selling of vaccines will be tracked down and prosecuted, an official of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) said on Saturday, May 22.

DILG Undersecretary and spokesperson Jonathan Malaya, however, stressed confirmation of the illegal activity should be ensured citing that not all social media reports are factual especially at the prevalence of fake news at the present times.

Citing a personal experience, Malaya in an interview over GMA News disclosed that his name was even used in a fraudulent transaction with the scam artist telling the governor that his financial solicitation had his blessings.

Malaya said there is also a possibility that there is no truth to this reported “scam’’ or this may also be true so there is a need for an extensive investigation by the authorities on the matter.

He noted that those monitored to be selling vaccines could just be pretending to have a COVID-19 vaccine slot and access in the government’s vaccination process.

The DILG official noted that he had received Twitter and text messages that the alleged scam artists are charging P12,000 for the COVID-19 vaccine slots.

Malaya said the DILG sought the assistance of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to expedite its investigation on the alleged COVID-19 vaccine slot sale adding that the local government units (LGUs) are also conducting their own probe.

Even if the rogue person has no access to the vaccines, Malaya emphasized that the individual remains answerable under the law since it is still “fraud’’ for being involved in the “modus operandi’’.

Malaya revealed that the DILG directed the PNP to tap the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and Anti Cybercrime Group (ACG) both under the national operational support units (NSU) of the PNP to extensively conduct the investigation on the supposed vaccine slot sale not only in Metro Manila but also in the whole country.

He also appealed to the public to report incidents related to the sale of COVID-19 vaccine slots to police authorities. (Chito A. Chavez)

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scam Jonathan Malaya vaccine slot sale
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