DFA WARNS OFWs ANEW ON TEXT SCAMS

16 February 2007 – The Department of Foreign Affairs has issued another warning to OFWs on new text scam apparently emanating from the Philippines and circulating in Canada , informing the victim through text message that he/she won prize money from a special raffle draw allegedly sponsored by a certain “GMA Foundation of the Philippines for Overseas Filipinos.”  

The Department issued the warning after receiving the report of Philippine Consul General in Vancouver , Canada , Minerva Jean A. Falcon, stating that OFWs in British Columbia have been receiving these scam messages.  

Consul General Falcon said the text scams use the following names and contact numbers:  

Special Projects Division
GMA Foundation of the Philippines
San Rafael Annex Building
Malacañang, Manila , Philippines
Secretary Nimfa Salazar, Tel# 0921-712-6658;  

Department of Finance
Agripina Circle , Manila
Secretary, Atty. Patricia Pineda, Tel# 0921-834-0905
Jo Ann B. Castillo, Sec. Of Atty. Pineda, Tel# 0921-610-2908;

Ramon Tiongco Uy
Western Union Bank Representative in the Philippines
Western Money Transfer, Manila , Tel# 0915-214-8547
50 M. Hizon St . Caloocan City  

In its investigation of the modus operandi, the Consul General reported the perpetrators send a series of text messages and can even be contacted through the phone numbers they provide. “The perpetrators engage the victims in phone conversations meant to convince them to wire-transfer a so-called processing fee, which would range from US$400 to US$1000. The victims are also asked to provide these individuals their passport and driver's license numbers,” she stated.

The Department of Foreign Affairs reiterates the warning of the Consulate General to overseas Filipinos to refrain from responding to similar text messages, and to immediately report such cases to the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate General so that an advisory may be circulated immediately to warn the public of the text or e-mail scam.  END

/jay

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