In the City of Valenzuela, the local police officers arrested a couple suspected of mass producing fake government ID cards and selling them online, according to a news report by the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of the Inquirer. Some parts in boldface…
Valenzuela police apprehended a couple allegedly mass producing and selling fake government IDs online, Valenzuela Mayor Wes Gatchalian announced on Wednesday at a press conference.
PNP-Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) Acting Director PBGen. Bernard Yang said the couple was tagged as the main suppliers by another online seller the police previously arrested.
Apart from forging tools, and a printer, operatives seized over 300 pieces of the fake government-issued identification cards: PhilHealth, Social Security System (SSS), Unified Multi-Purpose ID (UMID), Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and Driver’s licenses. The suspects also reportedly forged government documents such as PhilHealth Member Data Records.
“We have confiscated so many IDs. They can do almost anything. And these are being sold online on different social media platforms ranging from P40 to P1,000,” Yang stated in Filipino.
The cops identified the couple as “Chippie,” 44, and “Kaye,” 40, who, when asked by the media, admitted to printing the IDs saying they were only doing their jobs, but they failed to name their employer.
They will face charges of falsification of documents, a violation of the Revised Penal Code, in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
Gatchalian advised against the production of fake IDs as it affects local businesses, as well as persons with disabilities and senior citizens.
“Disadvantaged here are the establishments that are losing money… The real senior citizens and the real PWDs of our city are disenfranchised,” the mayor said in a mix of Filipino and English.
Additionally, PhilHealth NCR Vice President Bernadette Lico reminded that registering to Philhealth can be done online, and the IDs can be claimed for free, highlighting that there’s no need to pay for fake documents.
“There are many people online who are buying PhilHealth IDs ranging from P200 to P900… There is no need to do this anymore. Because all Filipinos are covered by PhilHealth, When you get an ID made, there is no fee. And with the e-gov app, you can register for a PhilHealth ID online.” Lico explained.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Does this development make you concerned that there could be crime suspects among the many people who sell online live? Does the arrest of the suspect turn you off from attending online selling sessions? If you recently bought products from online selling sessions, were the good legitimate? Do you know anyone who became a victim of the suspect in the above news story?
You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.
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