Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 28) — Local officials should be on alert against scammers using the Interior department to extort money in exchange for help, Intertior spokesperson Jonthan Malaya said on Wednesday.
“Kami po ay nagbibigay babala sa ating mga local government officials na mag-ingat po tayo dito sa criminal sydicate na tumatawag at nagte-text sa mga mayor at nagsasabing sila ay tutulungan ng DILG…at mayroon pong hinihingan kapalit na pera,” he said during the ‘Laging Handa’ briefing.
[Translation: We are advising local goernment officials to be careful of criminal syndicates who call and text mayors and say they will receive help from the DILG…in exchange for money.]
Malaya said he himself fell victim to the scammers, but he did not give details.
He advised the public to verify the authenticity of the call, and immediately report scams to authorities.
