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RP consulate warns of text scam
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Posted on Aug 02 2005
The Philippine Consulate on Saipan released a statement yesterday warning all Filipinos in the Commonwealth to take extra precaution in responding to text messages that say they have won in a raffle or lottery back home.
Consul General Wilfredo Maximo said the growing “text scam” scheme now includes a modus operandi that a text message would inform prospective victims that they have won in a raffle draw or lottery purportedly sponsored by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the Philippines Charity Sweepstakes Office, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, or other established institutions in the Philippines.
The culprits would then use fictitious names and addresses and mostly would pose as government officials and ask the poor victims to remit or deposit money to designated bank accounts for supposed payment of tax and other miscellaneous fees. Some would send prepaid card Personal Identification Numbers, or PIN, to the perpetrators’ cellular phones, they say as part of the preconditions for getting the alleged prizes.
Once the so-called organizers get the money or have loaded the prepaid card PINs, the victim would no longer hear from the perpetrators again.
“Filipinos who have been victimized or who have any information on this scam are requested to inform the Philippine Consulate office,” said the media release.
The consul office could be reached at tel. nos. 234-1848, 234-1850 or 234-1851. They can also reach the Anti-Money Laundering Council secretariat office located at 5/F EDPC Building, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas complex, Manila with tel. nos. 011-632-302-3982 and 011-632-524-7011 extension 2372.
