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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Manila Bulletin, other private groups partner with CICC for 'love scam' awareness launch

Manila Bulletin, other private groups partner with CICC for 'love scam' awareness launch

Published Feb 1, 2024 05:19 am

The nation's leading newspaper, Manila Bulletin, has joined other private groups in collaborating with the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) to combat love scams as Valentine's Day approaches.

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From left to right: Jay-Anne Encarnado, Converge ICT Head of Corporate Communications; Art Samaniego, Scam Watch Pilipinas Co-Founder and Co-Lead Convenor and Manila Bulletin’s Technology Editor; Jocel de Guzman, Scam Watch Pilipinas Co-Founder and Co-Lead Convenor; CICC Executive Director Undersecretary Alexander Ramos, Mel Migrino, Gogolook’s Country Representative for the Philippines and Regional Director for Information Security and Alliances; Elena Torrijos, BPI Head of Corporate Communications and Frederick Blancas, Gogolook Chief Operating Officer Manwoo Joo and GoTyme Head of Corporate Communications. (Manila Bulletin photo)

Manila Bulletin, along with BPI, WhosCall, Converge, GO Time Bank, and Pioneer, joined Scam Watch Pilipinas and CICC on Jan. 31 in launching "Unmatch"—a campaign dedicated to fighting love scams.

Art Samaniego, Manila Bulletin’s Technology Editor and Information and Communications Technology head, explained that the modern tactics of love scammers are based on the experiences of various victims who approached them.

He emphasized that scammers gain the trust of their victims and then convince them to switch to various messaging platforms, such as WhatsApp.

"They will do that because they want to keep you (victim) away from people who can help you, so they will isolate you," Samaniego said in a mix of English and Filipino.

He then explained that if the perpetrator successfully completes all the steps, they will initiate sharing fabricated family problems, seeking the victim's financial assistance.

However, Samaniego clarified that the Scam Watch Pilipinas and the Unmatch campaign do not discourage the public from exploring dating apps.

"We're not discouraging you (public) from seeking a relationship online. What we're trying to do here is to warn you because there are a lot of scams going around," he noted.

As of October 2023, the CICC has received more than 15,000 complaints related to scam incidents.

Online scam awareness

Meanwhile, BPI Public Affair and Communication Head Elena Torrijos underscored the importance of the public's vigilance in this kind of online crime.

"It is very important for us to recognize that education and teaching people how to be vigilant against scams, to be able to recognize scams online, is particularly important right now," Torrijos said.

"They need to know social engineering schemes like phishing, vishing, smishing, and the ever-evolving modus operandi of the scammers," she added.

Furthermore, Converge's Head Corporate communication and Public Affairs Jay-Anne R. Encarnado vowed its active participation in the initiative.

"So, in the upcoming love month, along with our partners, we will continue to participate in the campaign for a safe and joyful online dating experience for those who continue to seek genuine and true love," she Encarnado said.

The campaign was initiated on Jan. 31 in Taguig, introducing the "Eight Love Scammers Profile."

These profiles comprise "red flags" designed to assist individuals in identifying potential love scammers during online interactions.

READ:

https://mb.com.ph/2024/1/31/take-care-of-your-heart-cicc-warns-vs-love-scam-as-valentine-s-nears

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