Advisory
Against "Text Scam"
18
March 2005
The
Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong SAR wishes to inform all
Filipinos in its area of jurisdiction that the Anti–Money Laundering
Council of the Central Bank of the Philippines recently issued an advisory
concerning the so–called “text scam”.
This is a criminal scheme whereby the victim is informed through a short
messaging service that he/she won millions of pesos in a raffle draw
purportedly sponsored by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the
Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), the Philippine Amusement and
Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), and other institutions. The swindlers, who
use fictitious names or pose as government officials, would try to get
their victim to remit money to the swindlers by depositing it in
designated bank accounts, supposedly for tax payments and other fees as a
precondition in getting the alleged prize. Once the victim deposited the
money, the swindlers immediately get the same, and the victim will no
longer hear from the swindlers again.
Those who received such text messages or have been victimized by this
fraud are advised to immediately report the matter to the Anti–Money
Laundering Council Secretariat, 5/F EDPC Bldg., Bangko Sentral ng
Pilipinas Complex, Manila, with telephone numbers (+632) 302–3982 and
524–7011 local 2372.
|
