March 2008

WARNING ON TEXT SCAM

The Philippine Consulate General in Sydney is warning the public about the so-called “text scam” which is a criminal scheme whereby the victim is informed through short messaging service or “text” that he 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), or 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 or to deposit it in designated bank accounts, supposedly for the payment of tax and other fees, as a precondition to getting the alleged prize.  Once the victim remits or deposits the money, the swindlers immediately get the same, and the victim will no longer hear from the swindler 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 Building, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Complex, Manila, with telephone numbers (+632) 302-3982 and (+632) 524-7011 loc. 2372.