Love scams prevalent online – BOC
Most of the online love scams were carried out through online dating sites, social media sites like Facebook and Twitter, phone calls, text messages and emails, according to the BOC’s Enforcement and Security Service. File
MANILA, Philippines — Over the past nine months, 1,263 online love scams were reported to the Bureau of Customs (BOC)’s helpdesk BOC-CARES (Customer Assistance and Response Services).
Most of the online love scams were carried out through online dating sites, social media sites like Facebook and Twitter, phone calls, text messages and emails, according to the BOC’s Enforcement and Security Service.
The scammers often prey on the victims by befriending them online and promising them a package containing gifts and a huge sum of money. The scammers will then send bogus receipts and tracking numbers of packages to unsuspecting victims.
Others were victimized via text messages or phone calls informing them that they had a package held by the BOC and they had to send money to get the package.
“They would usually use the name of the bureau and pose as BOC employees who are asking money to shoulder the ‘duties and taxes’ in exchange for the release of the package,” Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña said.
- Latest
- Trending
