Text scam dupes Brussels-based OFW of P90,000

Petronila Baal could not believe that she was victimized by a syndicate who even used the names of some high-ranking Philippine officials to carry out their illegal activity.

Baal said the scam began on July 30 when she received a text message from a certain Ed Robles who introduced himself as an official of a Philippine-based telecommunications company.

The text message she received read: “Congratulations! Your SIM number won cash prize from PCMC thru CPV electronic raffle. Call me up now for the mechanics to claim ur prize, I’m Ed Robles.”

After receiving the message, Baal said she immediately contacted the suspect to ask him how she can claim her prize. After that, Baal sent money four times to the suspect through Western Union.

“Una, ang nakuha po nila sa akin ay P6,000 na ibabayad daw sa kanila ng Western Union. Pangalawa, ‘yung sa BIR tax exemption na P15,000 naman yun. ‘Yung pangatlo, P30,000 dun sa sinasabing royalty tax at yung P40,000 para raw po sa pagsa-sign ni Speaker [Prospero] Nograles,” Baal said.

Baal said she just borrowed the money she sent to the con artist since she was eager to get the promised prize of P600,000.

She initially thought of surprising her family back in the Philippines with the prize.

On August 4, the suspect again asked her to remit P30,000 which raised her suspicions on the authenticity of the raffle and the prize.

Aside from Nograles, the scammer also mentioned the name of President Arroyo.

ABS-CBN’s “Balitang Europe” was able to record the actual conversation between the victim and another suspect named Martin Mabalatan Sombilon. Sombilon introduced himself as a manager of the Central Bank of the Philippines.

In their phone conversation, Baal asked Sombilon the name of the person whom she will send the money.

Sombilon said a certain “Chairman George Lim” is now waiting for the money.

Meanwhile, the Philippine embassy in Brussels denied that government officials are involved in the scam.

“We are now in the midst of investigation. In fact, ini-report din natin ito sa Department of Foreign Affairs sa Manila. Inuulit ko, ito po ay hindi totoo. Hindi po link si House Speaker Nograles, nor si presidente nor any government officials here and I doubt it if Smart is also link in this particular scam,” said Ambassador Cristina Ortega.

Ortega also reminded Filipinos not to be fooled by people or groups offering easy money.

With her money gone, Baal could now only hope that the suspects behind the scam will be arrested and punished.

Source:Raquel Bernal-Crisostomo, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau, Belgium