2 nabbed for using OFW’s FB account to ‘solicit funds’
AGENTS of the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group on Tuesday arrested two women accused of ‘mimicking’ the Facebook account of an Overseas Filipino Worker and allegedly using it in their fraudulent activities, officials said.
Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit 3 chief, Colonel Fidel Fortaleza Jr. identified the duo as Jessica Garcia and Queen Elizabeth Paragas. The two were arrested in an entrapment operation in a store inside the Mangaldan Public Markert in Barangay Poblacion, Mangaldan, Pangasinan 5:45 p.m. Tuesday, the official said.
Fortaleza said their investigation showed Garcia ‘mimicked’ the Facebook account of one Jesus Garcia, a Saudi Arabia-based OFW and allegedly used it to request financial assistance from the latter’s unsuspecting relatives.
In a complaint to the RACU 3, Garcia said he received a message from another cousin also working in Saudi Arabia inquiring if he has created a 2nd Facebook Account with the profile name “Jess Garcia” using an old photo.
The 2nd Facebook account was found to be soliciting money from Garcia’s relatives. The complainant denied creating the 2nd account and got worried about other relatives who may have been victimized by the scammer.
A cousin of Garcia identified as Francis Buan said he sent P8,000 to the scammer’s GCash account last November 10. When the fake Garcia asked for more money, Buan became suspicious and eventually learned that he was dealing with a scammer prompting him to seek the assistance of the RACU 3.
The two who were arrested in a sting are now facing charges for computer-related identity theft and swindling/estafa in relation to Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
The arrest of the two prompted PNP-ACG director, Brigadier General Joel B. Doria to remind the public to be very cautious in dealing with people asking for money online.
“As Christmas is fast approaching, we at the PNP-ACG once again reminds everyone to always be vigilant, especially in making online transactions. Scammers will use all sorts of schemes to rob you of your money,” Brig. Gen. Doria said.
