OFW loses P200,000 to Facebook scammer



An overseas Filipino worker in Saudi Arabia lost some P200,000 to an Ilocos Sur resident who posed as a woman on Facebook.

It was only last February that the OFW became suspicious because his Facebook "friend" refused his requests for a video chat, GMA Ilocos reported.

The suspect, identified as Christopher Javanillo, was arrested in a sting operation arranged by the police after the victim, 28, sought help.

According to the OFW, he met "Andrea Pauline Salvacion" on Facebook and "Andrea" would occasionally ask him for money.

But the OFW became suspicious when "Andrea" refused his requests for a video chat, and secretly returned to the Philippines.

He eventually learned "Andrea" was a man.

"Gumagamit (ang suspek) ng ibang account ng Facebook para maka-earn ng pera, nagpakilala siya bilang babae at nagkaroon sila ng relasyon," said PO1 Ar-Jay Ofiaza of the Sta. Cruz, Ilocos Sur police.

Investigation showed Javanillo would use the photos of a female model on his Facebook profile.

"Nagawa ko yun syempre sa luho at mahilig kasi ako mag tour-tour ganun," he said.

Javanilla now faces charges of estafa, though the OFW said he would desist from pursuing charges if he can return the P200,000 he got from him.

Meanwhile, in San Nicolas in Ilocos Norte, a minor is facing charges for violating the anti-cybercrime law for asking money from another minor via Facebook.

Investigation showed the victim was introduced to the suspect via Facebook, and the suspect claimed to be a child of a doctor and engineer.

But when the suspect asked for money, the victim got suspicious and told police, who arranged a sting operation.

The suspect claimed being ordered by a friend to engage in the racket. "Tinakot nila ako na pati raw pamilya ko ay idadamay nila," the suspect claimed. —Joel Locsin/KBK, GMA News


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