The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh has issued a warning to overseas Filipino workers in Saudi Arabia on text scams being perpetrated by unscrupulous individuals that victimize more OFWs.
Based on information provided by the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) of the Philippines, the modus operandi adopted by the scammers involve sending text messages to unsuspecting OFWs and deceiving them into believing that they won in an electronic raffle conducted by various government offices.
“Text scammers use fictitious names or pose as government officials and send fraudulent text messages to their victims saying that their mobile phone numbers won in a raffle allegedly sponsored by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas or other institutions,” the Embassy said.
The scammers inform victims that to be able to claim their alleged prize, they should first send money through a designated account in a bank or remittance company. The scammers may also require their victims to send prepaid load to the scammers’ mobile phone numbers.
Once the scammers have received the money and prepaid load, the victims will no longer be able to get in touch with them again, the Embassy added.
The Embassy clarified that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas does not conduct raffles and that OFWs should be vigilant so as not fall prey to these scams.
Meanwhile, text scam incidents may be reported to any of the following:
ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING COUNCIL SECRETARIAT
5/F, EDPC Building, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Complex, Manila
Tel: 302-3982 and 524-7011 local 2372
ANTI-FRAUD AND COMPUTER CRIMES DIVISION
National Bureau of Investigation, Taft Avenue, Manila
Tel: 523-8231 local 3455/3456
CORPORATE AFFAIRS OFFICE
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, BSP Complex, Mabini St. Manila
Tel: 523-4832 and 524-7011 local 2259
