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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Wag magpa-budol sa profile pic: PNP-ACG warns vs 'love scam' modus

'Wag magpa-budol sa profile pic: PNP-ACG warns vs 'love scam' modus

Published Feb 8, 2024 01:04 am

Looks can be deceiving, and in the case of a love scam, especially those who feel the pressure this love month, it can cost your hard-earned money… lots of money.

In one of its cases, the Philippine National Police-Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) narrated how a 59-year old woman lost around P2.2 million from a Nigerian who posed as a hot Turkish using a fake photo on a dating app.

It was only when the suspect was arrested in an operation in Cavite that the victim was shocked and disappointed that she exchanged “kilig” moments with a guy who was totally different from the profile photo on Facebook. The worst part was that he got her P2.2 million retirement savings.

On Thursday, Feb. 8, PNP-ACG director Maj. Gen. Sidney Hernia said that fake photos of either a handsome man or a hot woman on social media and dating apps is one of the essential elements in “Love Scam”.

“Generally, in Romance scams, cybercriminals often create fake identities, posing as foreigners working abroad or in the military. They build trust in romantic relationships before exploiting victims financially,” said Hernia.

“This scheme involves multiple individuals acting as the foreigner, a Bureau of Customs employee, and a delivery person. They use tactics like claiming to have packages sent to the Philippines held by Customs and asking victims to pay fake fees,” he added.

Hernia said some scammers also convince victims to invest in cryptocurrency but would later find out of the fraud.

The PNP-ACG made the warning anew as it disclosed that cases of ‘Love Scam” rose from 94 in 2022 to a total of 168 last year.

PNP-ACG Cyber Response Unit chief Col. Jay Guillermo said they have already issued various information drives to protect netizens from this modus operandi.

“To combat cybercrime effectively, we have adopted a proactive approach. We engage in distributing flyers, pamphlets, posting cyber tips on social media, and conducting seminars/lectures, all aimed at elevating community awareness and fortifying collective efforts against cyber threats,” said Guillermo.

For his part, Hernia emphasized the importance of adopting the DYOR approach, or the “Do Your Own Research”, saying this proactive stance encourages individuals to thoroughly research before placing trust or investments in someone or something.

“February may be the season of love, but there's no designated time for Romance/Love Scams. Stay cautious online. Trust your instincts and talk to friends or family if something feels off. Staying informed and being skeptical can help keep you safe from Romance scams,” said Hernia.

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