(CNN Philippines) — A new online scheme is using professional social networking sites to steal money from unsuspecting individuals, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) cautioned the public on Thursday (April 23).
The Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi obtained information that some Filipinos received messages sent through professional social networking sites about a so-called “Middle East Compensation Package.”
According to the DFA, the said scheme would first entice its potential victims to invest, after which the unsuspecting recipients will be instructed to make arrangements with the paying bank for the release of this compensation, with the phone number and email address of the contact person provided by the sender.
Upon consultation by the Embassy with the bank’s IT and Fraud Department, it was determined that “phishing” is evident in the message, and that it was designed to steal money. Police are now tracing the phone number indicated in the message as requested by the bank.
Several overseas Filipinos have already been victimized by scam operators who have designed schemes promising business or personal partnerships.
The DFA urges the public to be cautious when communicating with unknown individuals through social networking sites, particularly in providing sensitive personal information and responding to untrusted internet offerings involving financial transactions.
