23 November 2005 – The Department of Foreign Affairs today issued another warning to OFWs on new text scam circulating in Canada informing the victim through text message that he/she won $40,000 cash.

The Department issued the warning after it received report from the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver, which stated that two Filipinos inquired through telephone about the text message they received containing the following note:

                This is an exclusive for OCWs and OFWs:
                Your roaming number was very lucky to
                receive $40,000 from CBP.
               Secretary Nimfa Salazar – 09182735355
               This is a new project of GMA and Western Union

To verify the authenticity of the text message, the Consulate General contacted Western Union and was informed that they were not aware of such promotion or project. It has already issued a press release warning Filipinos in Western Canada about the scam.

“I advise all OFWs to refrain from dealing with sender of such text message to prevent falling victim to this scam,” Consul General Minerva Jean Falcon said. END
 
 
 

/bjg