OWWA warns OFWs in HK, Macau about loan scams

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) has warned Filipino workers in Hong Kong and Macau against an alleged scam using the agency's name to solicit money in exchange for an availment of loan.

Labor Attaché Nenita Garcia of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Hong Kong said their office has been receiving calls from OFWs inquiring about the availment of OWWA loans that require an applicant to deposit HK$1,000 in order to release the loan.

A similar report has also been received from Labor Attaché Vivian Tornea of POLO-Macau, the OWWA said in a statement Friday.

A Facebook page called OWWA Loan, which has already been deactivated, used the agency's logo as its profile picture to make similar offers to OFWs active on social media.

"OWWA has already reported the fake account to Facebook management," the OWWA said.

OWWA Administrator Rebecca J. Calzado reminded the public to refrain from giving any information to unidentified persons and to transact only with government offices to prevent being victimized by scams.

"OWWA is reminding all OFWs and the public to be vigilant of scams used by swindlers to deceive people nor to give any information, especially if financial in nature, to unidentified persons," she said.

Filipinos may report suspicious individuals or companies through (+632)551-1560, (+632)551-6641, 09178986992, or owwa_opcenter247@yahoo.com. —Rie Takumi/KBK, GMA News

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