Social media went abuzz in the past few days over spam text messages which contain the names of the targeted recipients.

How did these scammers get those information?

The Philippine National Police (PNP) could only theorize as to where they obtained the information, as it advised the public anew to refrain from entertaining messages that they continuously received.

Police Brig. Gen. Joel Doria, director of the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG), said they have already conducted an investigation into the incident and the initial results disclosed that the senders’ numbers are not linked to any social media accounts, messaging apps and digital wallets.

"This is apparently to avoid identification by law enforces. We have already conducted social media exploitations and there are numerous possibilities on how scammers get hold of the personal information of the recipients of spam text messages," said Doria.

First, Doria said the data may have been sold and bought in bulk in the dark web wherein hackers and techies use special software to buy and sell information. The special software prevents make the dark web users anonymous and untraceable.

Second, the information may have been obtained through social media platforms, websites, and phone directories around the internet.

And the third, according to Doria, are those raffle tickets and other standard application forms that customers and other people would fill out in the markets and other establishments.

"It can also be acquired thru random typing of numbers in social media messaging apps like 'Viber' which when added, the messaging app will automatically supply the person’s name," said Doria.

Doria said the ACG has been in constant collaboration with the National Privacy Commission (NPC) and the different TELCOs to address the issues on spam text messaging.

“Every day, scammers will employ different modus to get people to believe their lies to rob you of your savings. That is why ACG continuously remind everyone to be vigilant and to be aware of the different tactics of fraudsters. ‘Knowledge is Key," said Doria.

"In order to combat this type of modus, recipients of personalized spam messages should simply ignore them and not to click on the link attached to these messages," he added.