Tag: online scam

Malacañang declares February 13 a non-working day in Parañaque City in celebration of cityhood anniversary

Malacañang declares February 13 a non-working day in Parañaque City in celebration of cityhood anniversary

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Very recently, Malacañang Palace issued Proclamation Number 792 formally declaring the date of February 13, 2025 a non-working day in Parañaque City marking its 27th cityhood anniversary, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. The proclamation was signed by Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin by the authority of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

Malacañang has declared Feb. 13 a non-working holiday in Parañaque City in celebration of the city’s 27th Cityhood Anniversary.

Parañaque City Mayor Eric Olivarez said the declaration was made through Proclamation No. (792) to give city residents the opportunity to participate in and enjoy the celebration.

Olivarez said the city government prepared various activities, including medical services, from Jan. 27 to Feb. 15.

He said the cityhood anniversary kicked off with the presentation of candidates for the much-awaited search for “Gandang Mamita and Gwapitong Papito” on Monday, Jan. 27. The search for the “Ginoo and Binibining Parañaque” will be held on Feb. 4.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Parañaque City, what is your reaction to this recent development? How interested are you to participate or witness the scheduled activities related to the 27th anniversary of Parañaque’s cityhood? Do you think the 27th cityhood anniversary will help you forget about the rampant crime in Parañaque that involved foreigners?

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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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Eight Chinese nationals arrrested in Parañaque over phishing scam, one suspect still on the loose

Eight Chinese nationals arrrested in Parañaque over phishing scam, one suspect still on the loose

carlocarrasco

Recently in Parañaque City, agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) supported by representatives of theDigital Forensic Laboratory (DFL) arrested eight Chinese nationals suspected of involvement in online phishing, but one other suspect remains at large, according to a news article by the Philippine News Agency (PNA). Pieces of evidence were found at the site of the crime.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…

Eight Chinese nationals allegedly engaged in online phishing operations were arrested in Parañaque City, the National Bureau of Investigation announced on Wednesday.

In a news release, the NBI identified the arrested suspects as Xiao Li, Chuan Zi Gao, Ming Ru Li, Wen Shu Liu, Qui Shun Li, Cai Li Pan, Changfu Liu, and Zhang Zhen. A ninth suspect, Hwang Xiaobin, remains at large.

NBI Director Jaime Santiago said the suspects were engaged in investment fraud, crypto asset/currency scam, romance scam and identity theft through the use of social engineering and digital communication schemes.

Following surveillance on Jan. 14, a warrant to search, seize, and examine computer data (WSSECD) was granted by RTC Paranaque City against the group.

On Jan. 17, NBI operatives, together with representatives from the Digital Forensic Laboratory (DFL) implemented the WSSECD.

DFL representatives conducted an onsite examination on a laptop and a desktop found on the site and discovered transcript template of phishing and/or social engineering schemers used in obtaining sensitive information of another person.

Financial transactions of crypto currency scams were also found during the examination, the NBI said.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque, have you grown tired about your city being such a hot spot of illegal operations, scams and crime involving foreign nationals? What do you think made Parañaque a favorite destination for the remnants of POGOs (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators) and scammers involving foreigners?

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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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Ten foreign nationals arrested in Parañaque City village for alleged scamming activities

Ten foreign nationals arrested in Parañaque City village for alleged scamming activities

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Very recently in Parañaque City, ten foreign nations were arrested by elements of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for alleged online scamming, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. The apprehension took place inside a village.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

Ten foreigners have been arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in a subdivision in Paranaque City where they were found allegedly conducting online scamming activities.

In a statement, the NBI said the 10 foreigners were arrested by operatives of the NBI National Capital Region (NBI-NCR) during the service of a Warrant to Search, Seize, and Examine Computer Data (WSSECD) at a residence in Multinational Village in Paranaque City.

It said all the 10 foreigners face charges of violating Republic Act (RA) 12010, the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act.

The NBI identified seven of the foreigners as Vietnamese nationals Phan Viet Ngan, Do Anh  Tuan, Nguyen Duc Anh, Phan Kim Sang, Vo Hong Sy, Nguyen Van Khanh, and Doan Van Dung.

The other foreigners were identified as Chinese nationals Zhang Ming Yi, Xin Yao Huang and Himen Chen.

The NBI said that during the operation, seized from the suspects were computers and transcripts with Chinese characters.

“Based on the seized translated transcripts, Subjects are indeed engaged in phishing and scamming activities,” it said.

“In addition, Operating System Triage conducted on the seized computer units revealed the illegal activities of the Subjects like romance scam, fictitious messaging accounts, fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes and fake investment solicitations,” it added.

 The NBI said the operation was conducted after NBI-NCR received “an intelligence report that groups of foreign nationals are engaged in Investment Fraud, Crypto Asset or Crypto Currency Scam, Artificial Intelligence scam and High Yield Investment Program (HYIP), Romance scam and identity theft through the use of social engineering scheme and digital communication systems.”

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque, do you think that there could still be a lot more illegal operations secretly happening in residential communities with foreigners doing the work? When was the last time an online scamming operation was discovered in your local community?

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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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

NBI agents arrest 12 Chinese nationals in Parañaque City for alleged scamming and immigration violations, 5 locals arrested for bribery attempt at NBI office

NBI agents arrest 12 Chinese nationals in Parañaque City for alleged scamming and immigration violations, 5 locals arrested for bribery attempt at NBI office

carlocarrasco

Recently in the city of Parañaque, agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) apprehended twelve Chinese nationals and five locals for alleged scamming operations and an attempt of bribery, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of PNA. Some parts in boldface…

Twelve Chinese nationals and five Filipinos were arrested for alleged scamming operations and attempted bribery, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) bared Tuesday.

The foreigners were arrested in an operation on Jan. 8, 2025, at the Rance Corporate Center Aseana City in Tambo, Paranaque City for alleged violation of the Philippine Immigration Act.

During the operation, NBI personnel found “romance or love scam scripts, messaging applications with fictitious accounts, bank accounts, and fraudulent cryptocurrency scams, and fake investment schemes.”

The discovery resulted in the arrest of 12 Chinese nationals namely: Xu Chao, Meng Wei Shi, Xing Chao, Qin Hai Feng, Li Xiang Hua, Zhang Wei, Wang Qin Xiang, Wang Jia Fa, Jiang Qi Long, Luo Shang Fen, Qixin Wang, and Chen Jiang Song.

The NBI said while the operatives were preparing to return to headquarters with the arrested subjects, a certain Ezechiel Bernales volunteered to come with them, claiming that he is the suspects’ official interpreter.

Bernales allegedly told the NBI operatives that Wang Qin Xiang and Qixin Wang were offering to pay PHP300,000 for the release of each arrested individual or a total of PHP3,600,000.

An entrapment operation was then conducted at the parking lot of the NBI office in Pasay City on Jan. 10 resulting in the arrest of Bernales and four others, namely: Robustiano Hizon, John Abunda Villanueva, Kristoffer Habelito Baguna, and Hanif Bautil.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque, are you concerned that there could still be a lot more Chinese nationals secretly conducting scam operations? Who do you think could be the mastermind behind the bribery attempt? Are you thankful that the NBI arrested the suspects?

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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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

32 foreign nationals arrested in Parañaque City for illegal POGO work

32 foreign nationals arrested in Parañaque City for illegal POGO work

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Very recently in Parañaque City, thirty-two foreign nationals were arrested by elements of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for their involvement with clandestine Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), according to a news article by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news article of the PNA. Some parts in boldface…

A joint Bureau of Immigration (BI) and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) operation netted 32 foreign nationals found to be working for clandestine Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) in Parañaque City on Friday night.

BI intelligence division chief Fortunato Manahan Jr. reported that the foreigners were involved in online gaming and scamming operations in a building in Aseana City, a mixed-use central business district. The operation nabbed 20 Chinese, 11 Malaysians and a Cambodian.

“Let this be a warning to foreign nationals who blatantly continue illegal operations despite the ban of the President,” BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said in a news release on Saturday. “We will not stop until all illegal aliens are arrested and deported.”

The BI said more arrests and deportations are expected as President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. had already banned POGO operations in July 2024.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque, are you concerned that there could still be many illegal POGO operations being done secretly? Why do you think Parañaque is such a hot spot for illegal POGO operations as well as criminal activities involving foreigners? Do you believe that there are thousands of illegal aliens living and working discreetly in Parañaque?

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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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

DILG will ask Parañaque City Government to explain scam hub operation with hundreds of workers

DILG will ask Parañaque City Government to explain scam hub operation with hundreds of workers

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In relation to the big raid in Parañaque City that resulted hundreds of suspects arrested, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will ask the City Government for an explanation, according to a GMA Network news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of GMA Network. Some parts in boldface…

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will ask the Parañaque government for an explanation over the raided company in the city that was allegedly involved in scam hub operations, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Friday.

The raid took place only a few days after the December 31, 2024 deadline for Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) in the country.

“Magsusulat kami sa LGU para… manghihingi kami ng paliwanag kung ano talaga ang nangyari,” Remulla said in an ambush interview.

(We will write to the LGU so we can ask for an explanation on what really happened.)

This came after authorities raided a company in the city on Wednesday and arrested 400 foreigners.

Remulla, however, said he believes that the local government was unaware of the presence of the company as it has yet to inspect the area where the raid took place.

“Hindi pa alam ng Parañaque ‘yan kasi hindi pa nag re-renew ng business permit. Doon lang naman pumapasok ‘yan, basta nag re-renew ng business permit ‘yan,” he said.

(Parañaque does not know about that because they have yet to renew their business permit. That’s the only way they can inspect, as long as they renew their business permit.)

The official said it seems that the hub was previously operating as a POGO under the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.

“They supposedly shut down [on] December 15 pero nag resume kaagad sila right after ng December 31. Chineck natin ‘yung mga buildings na ‘yun wala na sila doon pero bumalik at bumalik sila,” Remulla said.

(They supposedly shut down on December 15 but resumed immediately after December 31. We checked those buildings and they were no longer there, but they went back.)

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque, are you concerned that there could still be a lot more POGOs or scam hubs secretly operating? Do you think the City Government could be aware of such illegal operations happening within their jurisdiction?  

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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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Eight foreigners (suspected scammers) arrested inside Ayala Alabang Village

Eight foreigners (suspected scammers) arrested inside Ayala Alabang Village

carlocarrasco

Recently in the progressive City of Muntinlupa, eight foreigners – seven Chinese nationals and one Vietnamese citizen – suspected for scamming got arrested inside a house in Ayala Alabang Village as a result of an operation by elements of the Bureau of Immigration (BI), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), according to a Malaya Business Insight news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Malaya Business Insight news report. Some parts in boldface…

SEVEN Chinese and a Vietnamese suspected as scammers were arrested in an operation in Ayala Alabang Village in Muntinlupa City, the Department of Justice said yesterday.

In a statement, the DOJ said the operation, carried out with the Bureau of Immigration, National Bureau of Investigation and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission, stemmed from information provided by residents and corroborated by intelligence regarding the presence of the foreigners in the posh village.

The DOJ said three Chinese were initially nabbed, two of whom were found to be overstaying in the country, while the other one could not present any documentation.

It said one of the three served for a time as a manager of a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in Porac, Pampanga.

“Upon entry, there was a live computer operated by a Chinese individual. When read by an interpreter, the screen showed scripts used in a standard phishing scam,” the DOJ said, adding operatives also found a voice-over IP, an equipment usually used in telephone scams to avoid detection.

Four Chinese and the Vietnamese were later arrested.

The DOJ said four failed to present documentation and were considered illegally staying in the country.

“One Chinese national, though not lacking in documentation, is suspected to have harbored the illegal aliens in violation of immigration laws,” the DOJ said.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, are you concerned that scammers from overseas could be living somewhere in your local community secretly doing illegal operations? Do you think that foreign POGO workers could be secretly staying in your village right now? Do you think the seven arrested Chinese nationals could be spies of Communist China?

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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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Parañaque City scam hub raided, Chinese nationals arrested

Parañaque City scam hub raided, Chinese nationals arrested

carlocarrasco

Recently in the City of Parañaque, local authorities raided a scam hub and arrested four Chinese nationals, according to a news report by the Philippine Star. The report also includes the arrest of a Chinese fugitive as a result of a separate operation in Parañaque.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Philippine Star report. Some parts in boldface…

Four Chinese were arrested recently during a raid on a suspected cryptocurrency investment and love scam hub in Parañaque City.

The facility reportedly posed as a licensed Philippine offshore gaming operator to conceal its illegal activities.

Wei Hanbing, 33; Wang Bo, 32; Wang Zhaoshan, 37, and Guo Dong, 26 were detained on Aug. 31 at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig. Authorities have turned them over to the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

Meanwhile, Zhang Xi, 38, who is wanted by the Chinese government and the Interpol, was apprehended on Sept. 8 in Parañaque, according to BI fugitive search unit chief Rendel Ryan Sy.

Zhang allegedly led an online criminal ring that designed a computer virus to remotely control around 4,200 computers in China, which gained over seven million yuan in ill-gotten profits since 2023.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque, are you concerned that there could be a lot more Chinese criminals secretly doing illegal operations within your local community? Why is it that Parañaque is still a hot spot for POGOs, scam hubs and criminal activities involving Chinese nationals?

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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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Parañaque City scam hub raided, 99 suspects arrested

Parañaque City scam hub raided, 99 suspects arrested

carlocarrasco

Very recently in the city of Parañaque, local authorities raided an alleged scam hub in Barangay Baclaran resulting in the arrests of almost one hundred suspects who were mostly foreigners, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…

Authorities apprehended nearly 100 Filipino and foreign workers during a raid at an alleged online scam hub in Parañaque City on Thursday morning.

In a report, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief, Maj. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez, said police operatives swooped down on the office of AIA Company on the 9th floor of Centrium Tower 1 on L. San Pedro Street corner J. Maceda Street in Barangay Baclaran at about 2 a.m.

Among those arrested were Nan Shan, Detu Su, and Wu Jian Bin, who were identified as the manager, owner, and supervisor of the company, respectively.

Aside from the three, 64 other foreigners – 56 Chinese nationals, four Malaysians, two Myanmar nationals, an Indonesian, and a Vietnamese national – and 32 Filipinos were nabbed.

Nartatez said the operation stemmed from confirmed intelligence reports that the establishment was engaged in cryptocurrency investment and love scams by posing as a licensed offshore gaming operator.

He added that the company is not registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

“Investigation disclosed that the company utilizes their CSRs (customer service representatives) in fraudulently portraying a character, such as a wealthy model who would entice prospect victims to invest in the manipulated cryptocurrency exchange/trading platform, with fraudulent intent,” he said.

During the raid, NCRPO officers found rooms where indecent shows could be filmed.

“While conducting inquiries to them, the Filipino nationals manifested that they (CSRs) were forced to work as scammers, while the models were being forced to dress in a seductive manner and perform lascivious conduct, which the CSRs will portray in order to lure their prospect victim,” Nartatez said.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque, are you concerned that there could be even more scam hubs secretly doing illegal operations within the city? Do you think the remnants of closed Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) have secretly been flocking to Parañaque to set up scam hubs?

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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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Philippines described by Nikkei Asia as “Asia’s epicenter for online shopping scams”

Philippines described by Nikkei Asia as “Asia’s epicenter for online shopping scams”

carlocarrasco

In recent times, a lot of people here in the Philippines got cheated by a scammer over their huge purchases of tickets for a Taylor Swift in Singapore. This incident serves as a painful reminder that the nation has been hit by a lot of scams online, so much so the Nikkei Asia published a December 2023 article describing the Philippines as “Asia’s epicenter for online shopping scams.”

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Nikkei Asia article. Some parts in boldface…

James Relativo thought he had landed a great deal on an electric drum set, but instead the Manila resident was cheated out of his money in a country gaining the dubious distinction as Asia’s worst for online sales scams.

Shoppers across the Philippines have been bilked out of millions of dollars so far this year, with some turning to victim chat groups on Facebook and other social media. A recent report found more than one-third of Filipinos surveyed had been scammed or encountered retail fraud online.

“Some people easily believe in false promises even if they are too good to be true,” warned Alexander Ramos, executive director of the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC).

In retrospect, Relativo might have been more skeptical about a drum set going for 8,000 pesos ($140), less than half the usual price, on e-commerce site Shopee.

But he hit ‘buy’ without hesitating, and soon things turned suspicious. The seller shifted its communications to a messaging app and demanded half the cost of the drums for “refundable taxes.”

More money demands followed until a frustrated Relativo agreed to bypass Shopee’s payment system and settle his remaining balance on GCash, a digital payments platform. He never got his drums.

“I just kept telling him I wanted my money back,” Relativo told Nikkei Asia, his voice laced with exasperation. “It wasn’t like I was dealing with a scammer — he was talking to me, sending me pictures of the drum set being packed.“

The journalist’s saga highlights a bitter experience for a growing number of people in the Philippines, which clocked the highest scam rate for online shoppers across nearly a dozen economies in the 2023 Asia Scam Report, published in November.

Commissioned by the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA) and Taiwan-based tech security company Gogolook, the report surveyed 20,000 respondents about their online shopping experiences in Vietnam, China, Thailand, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Indonesia, South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines.

The shopping scam rate in the Philippines led the group at an eye-watering 35.9%, followed by mainland China at 27.2%. South Korea had the lowest incidence, at 4.2%.

The explosion in online shopping has created a lucrative market for scammers. And a lack of cybercrime awareness is aggravating the problem in the Philippines, where people spend an average of 10 hours a day online by some estimates.

“Although (Filipinos) are considered very connected and digitally wired, (they) do not have adequate digital literacy skills,” said Mark Manantan, director of cybersecurity and critical technologies at the Pacific Forum in Hawaii.

The survey found that Filipinos were easy prey for scammers because they “respond too quickly” to sellers’ demands.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction about this recent development? Do you think Nikkei Asia’s article is detailed enough and trustworthy when it comes to gaining a strong awareness about online scams? How members of your household or your local community got scammed online over the past six months? Why do you think a lot of people in the Philippines are so determined to spend a lot of money to watch a Taylor Swift event overseas?

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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