Smart, RP embassy warn Pinoys in Belgium on text scams
By RAQUEL BERNAL-CRISOSTOMO
ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau
Just when texting is so prevalent and cellphones are more common than landline phones, it is not surprising that mobile phone users would be vulnerable to text-delivered scam.
Now that scammers have narrowed their targets to OFWs [overseas Filipino workers] with Philippine-based roaming cellphone numbers, one of the largest telecommunications company in the Philippines immediately sent a press statement to Balitang Europe to clarify the issue.
In a "HOAX TEXT ADVISORY", Ramon Isberto, Head of Public Affairs Group of Smart Communications Inc, confirmed that there are unscrupulous people who persistently deceive mobile phone users through hoax calls and text messages. Scammers usually ask something in exchange for fraud prizes the victim is supposedly entitled to.
"These crooked elements usually ask their intended victims to do any of the following---deposit money to specific bank accounts, send prepaid card numbers or pass on airtime load to specific cellphone number," Isberto said.
Isberto stressed that SMART does not engage in any of these practices.
"We do not ask winners of promos or contests to pay anything in order to claim their prize," he added.
In a standard promo regulation, operating costs are not deducted from individual prize winning. If it is a legal promo or advisory from a telecommunications company, the number that would appear on one’s cellphone is a pre-generated one which is usually 3 or 4 digit number or not more than 6 numbers.
"Too good to be true"
This is an exact opposite of what happened to an OFW in Brussels. Petronila Baal was asked to send a total amount of P91,000 in order to claim her supposed prize of P600,000.
Cousins Nascer Manabat and Genica Ruth, children of Brussels-based Pinoys claimed receiving messages similar to Baal’s. They ignored the message when the sender asked them to send P300 and P500 worth of prepaid loads.
Some OFWs who refused to be identified admitted they were tempted but found the messages "too good to be true."
This prompted the Philippine embassy in Brussels to appeal to the Filipino communities in Belgium and Luxembourg.
Ambassador Cristina Ortega reminded everyone to be vigilant and to spread the word among their family and friends.
"I would like to reiterate my advisory last March addressed to all Filipinos. Beware of these scammers and please do not relay your personal data such as name, address, telephone numbers, most importantly your bank account", Ortega said.
She warned all overseas Filipinos to refrain from responding to similar text messages and advises everyone to report similar cases to the Philippine embassy. They may also call the consular section at 02 340 33 73 or 74 or send email to brussels@ philembassy.be -- ABSCBN News
ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau
Just when texting is so prevalent and cellphones are more common than landline phones, it is not surprising that mobile phone users would be vulnerable to text-delivered scam.
Now that scammers have narrowed their targets to OFWs [overseas Filipino workers] with Philippine-based roaming cellphone numbers, one of the largest telecommunications company in the Philippines immediately sent a press statement to Balitang Europe to clarify the issue.
In a "HOAX TEXT ADVISORY", Ramon Isberto, Head of Public Affairs Group of Smart Communications Inc, confirmed that there are unscrupulous people who persistently deceive mobile phone users through hoax calls and text messages. Scammers usually ask something in exchange for fraud prizes the victim is supposedly entitled to.
"These crooked elements usually ask their intended victims to do any of the following---deposit money to specific bank accounts, send prepaid card numbers or pass on airtime load to specific cellphone number," Isberto said.
Isberto stressed that SMART does not engage in any of these practices.
"We do not ask winners of promos or contests to pay anything in order to claim their prize," he added.
In a standard promo regulation, operating costs are not deducted from individual prize winning. If it is a legal promo or advisory from a telecommunications company, the number that would appear on one’s cellphone is a pre-generated one which is usually 3 or 4 digit number or not more than 6 numbers.
"Too good to be true"
This is an exact opposite of what happened to an OFW in Brussels. Petronila Baal was asked to send a total amount of P91,000 in order to claim her supposed prize of P600,000.
Cousins Nascer Manabat and Genica Ruth, children of Brussels-based Pinoys claimed receiving messages similar to Baal’s. They ignored the message when the sender asked them to send P300 and P500 worth of prepaid loads.
Some OFWs who refused to be identified admitted they were tempted but found the messages "too good to be true."
This prompted the Philippine embassy in Brussels to appeal to the Filipino communities in Belgium and Luxembourg.
Ambassador Cristina Ortega reminded everyone to be vigilant and to spread the word among their family and friends.
"I would like to reiterate my advisory last March addressed to all Filipinos. Beware of these scammers and please do not relay your personal data such as name, address, telephone numbers, most importantly your bank account", Ortega said.
She warned all overseas Filipinos to refrain from responding to similar text messages and advises everyone to report similar cases to the Philippine embassy. They may also call the consular section at 02 340 33 73 or 74 or send email to brussels@ philembassy.be -- ABSCBN News
Comments