SAN ANTONIO, Nueva Ecija — The Police Regional Office 3’s Anti-Cyber Crime Group (PRO3-ACG) has warned members of the 27-man strong League of Municipalities of the Philippines-Nueva Ecija chapter to be always wary of technology-con artists using digital fraud through phishing, smishing and other text scams.

LMP-NE president and San Antonio mayor Arvin C. Salonga said the warning was issued by the PRO3-ACG after his group sought their help after a colleague, a retired general, had been victimized by these unidentified fraudsters.

“Humingi kami ng tulong sa PNP-ACG-PRO3 dahil ang isang mayor na kasama natin ay nabiktima at naharass nitong mga online lending scams na ito,” Salonga told the Journal Group during their 2nd regular monthly meeting held at the Wella’s Events Place and Resort in Bgy. Tikiw last Nov. 25.

He said the victim-mayor was allegedly harassed by these unknown texters, who sent him rude text messages.

“Ginawa kasi si mayor na reference o parang guarantor sa online lending, binigay nya ang kanyang contact number at ito ngayon ang binuliglig ng mga scammer sa mga text blasts,” added Salonga.

The LMP-NE head said the disgruntled mayor would really like to press criminal charges but could not do it because these text messages were anonymous, unidentified and of unknown origin.

“Kaya nga ako hindi ko binibigay basta-basta ang aking contact number, kahit nga si Gov. Oyie Umali ang ating gobernador, hindi ko binibigay at hindi niya alam CP ko kaya sa messenger lang kami nagtatawagan ni Gov,” said Salonga.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Steve A. Gosuico