National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) operatives arrested two Nigerians and three Filipinos involved in the phishing scam, and mobile wallet users such as Gcash were the victims.
In a report by Maki Pulido on GMA News “24 Oras” on Wednesday, it was said that online seller Jason Cruz was among the victims of the Gcash scam and lost P6,500 through the KKB or “Kanya-Kanyang Baya” feature.
According to Cruz, the scammer said the money would be sent to KKB. When he found out that the payment had been sent, he received a text allegedly from Gcash saying that he first had to send money to KKB to receive payment.
When he made the order, the scammer’s KKB account allegedly disappeared.
“‘Yong lesson na lang po siguro is na anything na magko-collect sa’yo ng pera para ma-receive ‘yong payment, red flag na po ‘yon,” said Cruz.
The NBI reminded that there are many tactics now scammers online, so the public should be alert.
Some even offer money to use the Gcash account for illegal activities. As a result, the NBI warns that those who use their account may be involved in the case.
“Sabi [may magpapakilala], tiga-GCash kami, mag-open kayo ng account and in return, bibigyan namin kayo ng P500… Ikaw ang sasalo noong fraudulent transaction kasi ikaw ang nakapangalan doon sa GCash,” warned NBI Cybercrime Division head Vic Lorenzo.
2 Nigerians, 3 Filipinos scamming Gcash users arrested
Lorenzo also reminded the public not to give others the pin and one-time password of the account.
GCash is already cooperating with the NBI on similar incidents.
Gcash allegedly suspected the modus operandi, so they reported to the NBI, and the suspects were arrested.
Meanwhile, several teachers, including an assistant principal, were allegedly victims of the phishing scam and lost money from their bank accounts ranging from P900 to P200,000.
According to the Teachers Dignity Coalition (TDC), about 20 teachers fell victim to the LandBank payroll account scam.
Most of the victimized teachers are from the National Capital Region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Bicol Region, and Western Visayas.
It is said that between P900 to P200,000 were obtained from the victims.
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