The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has cautioned Filipino not to get tricked by scammers who pose as desirable partners online, not for love, but for money.
Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapena issued the warning after receiving numerous reports of Filipinos falling victim to the online scam, citing data from the bureau’s help desk, BOC-CARES.
The help desk had received a total of 1,263 reports and inquiries on various online scams from January to September 2017, excluding reports of victims who did not provide further details.
“If things are too good to be true, get out, that’s a trap,” Lapena said in a statement.
The Customs chief cited a case of a Pangasinan resident scammed by her online sweetheart who promised to send her a package containing bags and gadgets.
The victim was made to pay a total of P110,000 for the release of the package supposedly being held by Customs.
“They would usually use the name of the bureau and pose as BOC employees who are asking money to shoulder the duties and taxes in exchange for the release of the package,” Lapena added.
According to the Enforcement and Security Service, online scams make use of online dating sites and social media sites like Facebook and Twitter, among others.
The victims are often asked to deposit money through money transfer services or through bank accounts.
The BOC chief said those awaiting packages from their online lovers could verify first with the bureau before sending money in exchange for the package’s release.
“If in case a stranger texted or chatted you about an unclaimed package held by BOC, or there is money in the package, you can double check the existence of the package by reaching the BOC Helpdesk at 705-6000 or by sending us a message at our Facebook page Bureau of Customs PH,” he said.
Source: Philippine News Agency (PNA)
