The suspect agreed to purchase a total of PHP 157,112 worth of imported clothing from Thailand and Japan. As proof of payment, ‘Sofia Lim’ provided a screenshot of a fake receipt, including a transaction reference number. However, the amount never appeared in the seller’s account.
The suspect faces charges under Article 315, known as Swindling and Estafa, as amended by RA 10951, in relation to Section 6 of RA 10175, the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. The suspect is now undergoing inquest proceedings at the Las Piñas Prosecutor’s Office.
The PNP-ACG emphasizes that such fraudulent actions can lead to severe criminal charges and significant prison time. As part of its ongoing initiative to educate the public on online transaction safety, GCash continues to encourage users to be aware of various scams, frauds, and cybercrimes.
GCash urges its users to remain vigilant against online scammers and fraudsters. Users are reminded never to disclose their MPIN or OTP. With the rise in phishing incidents, customers are strongly advised never to click on links from unknown senders.
For assistance, contact the PNP-ACG via their hotlines at (02) 8414-1560, 0998-598-8116, or via email at acg@pnp.gov.ph.
To report scams and fraudulent activities, visit the official GCash Help Center in the app or at the website help.gcash.com. Message Gigi on the website and type, “I want to report a scam.” GCash will never send private messages asking for personal information, especially the MPIN and OTP. Customers can also reach out to the official GCash hotline 2882 for queries and other concerns.
For more information, visit GCash.
FAQs
Q: What charges does the suspect face? A: The suspect faces charges under Article 315, known as Swindling and Estafa, as amended by RA 10951, in relation to Section 6 of RA 10175, the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
Q: How did the suspect attempt to scam the online seller? A: The suspect provided a fake receipt as proof of payment for PHP 157,112 worth of imported clothing, but the amount never appeared in the seller’s account.
Q: What should GCash users do to protect themselves from scams? A: GCash users should never disclose their MPIN or OTP and avoid clicking on links from unknown senders. They should report any suspicious activities to the GCash Help Center or the official GCash hotline 2882.
Q: How can I report a scam to GCash? A: To report a scam, visit the official GCash Help Center in the app or at the website help.gcash.com. Message Gigi on the website and type, “I want to report a scam.”
Q: How can I contact the PNP-ACG for assistance? A: You can contact the PNP-ACG via their hotlines at (02) 8414-1560, 0998-598-8116, or via email at acg@pnp.gov.ph.