PAOCC: Philippine 'love scams' targeting Australian citizens | ABS-CBN
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PAOCC: Philippine 'love scams' targeting Australian citizens
PAOCC: Philippine 'love scams' targeting Australian citizens
MANILA - The Presidential Anti Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) have revealed that there were around 5,000 Australian victims of a love scam traced to the Philippines.
MANILA - The Presidential Anti Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) have revealed that there were around 5,000 Australian victims of a love scam traced to the Philippines.
The Armed Forces of Philippines, the PAOCC, and the National Bureau of Investigation are working to solve the issue.
The Armed Forces of Philippines, the PAOCC, and the National Bureau of Investigation are working to solve the issue.
Authorities said they traced the scamming operations back to the Philippines.
Authorities said they traced the scamming operations back to the Philippines.
“Sad story that we are a center of scamming hub. Scamming in the Philippines also victimizing Chinese nationals- there are also victim from Europe. Sad story victim of scamming from our country,” said Usec. Gilbert Cruz, PAOCC Executive Director.
“Sad story that we are a center of scamming hub. Scamming in the Philippines also victimizing Chinese nationals- there are also victim from Europe. Sad story victim of scamming from our country,” said Usec. Gilbert Cruz, PAOCC Executive Director.
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Australian Federal Police Kathleen Oehrer explained the modus wherein scammers would portray a kind-hearted Filipino woman living in Australia or a local female resident in the Philippines, heartbroken by an ex-fiancé who wanted "my money, not my love".
Australian Federal Police Kathleen Oehrer explained the modus wherein scammers would portray a kind-hearted Filipino woman living in Australia or a local female resident in the Philippines, heartbroken by an ex-fiancé who wanted "my money, not my love".
They would introduce cryptocurrency trading into the conversation as their side job, before framing it as a successful financial venture that helped them achieve "significant wealth."
They would introduce cryptocurrency trading into the conversation as their side job, before framing it as a successful financial venture that helped them achieve "significant wealth."
The scammer would offer to teach the victim how to make a cryptocurrency investment of between $300-$800 Australian dollars.
The scammer would offer to teach the victim how to make a cryptocurrency investment of between $300-$800 Australian dollars.
The fraudster would then ask the victim to transfer their funds from the legitimate cryptocurrency exchange platform to the scammer's online crypto account.
The fraudster would then ask the victim to transfer their funds from the legitimate cryptocurrency exchange platform to the scammer's online crypto account.
“We have identified 5,000 victims in Australia. They are targeting men who are 35-80 years old," said Oehrer.
“We have identified 5,000 victims in Australia. They are targeting men who are 35-80 years old," said Oehrer.
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On Valentine’s Day, authorities expect scammers to target more victims especially for those searching for a companion or a lover
On Valentine’s Day, authorities expect scammers to target more victims especially for those searching for a companion or a lover
AFP, PAOCC and NBI shared some tips to track down the fraudsters:
AFP, PAOCC and NBI shared some tips to track down the fraudsters:
* Take screenshots of conversations and profiles before blocking on all platforms.
* Take screenshots of conversations and profiles before blocking on all platforms.
* Contact your bank or digital currency exchange if you have an unusual account activity.
* Contact your bank or digital currency exchange if you have an unusual account activity.
* Report it to police at www.cyber.gov.au
* Report it to police at www.cyber.gov.au
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* Report suspected scams to www.scamwatch.gov.au to help others avoid simitar scams
* Report suspected scams to www.scamwatch.gov.au to help others avoid simitar scams
* It you were contacted via social media, report it to the social media platform.
* It you were contacted via social media, report it to the social media platform.
“Be careful of love scams, if it’s too good to be true it probably is,” said Oehrer.
“Be careful of love scams, if it’s too good to be true it probably is,” said Oehrer.
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