DOJ orders NBI probe into phishing scheme victimizing teachers
MANILA, Philippines — Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to look into the alleged phishing scheme that victimized teachers with Land Bank of the Philippines accounts.
Guevarra issued Department Order 012 tapping the NBI to conduct a probe and case build-up into the said scheme. The bureau is also directed to file appropriate charges against those responsible for the crime.
The DOJ chief also ordered NBI Officer-in-Charge Eric Distor to submit a progress report to his office within 30 days of receipt of the department order.
Earlier this week, Landbank said its initial probe of the bank however showed that “devices of the teachers were hacked via phishing which compromised their personal information.”
It said it already reached out to the affected clients and “is working on the resolution of these isolated cases at the soonest possible time.”
The bank also asserted that its systems remains secure and were not hacked.
Non-governmental organization Teachers’ Dignity Coalition on Wednesday said teachers reported unauthorized transfer online transactions of cash ranging from P900 to 200,000 through their Landbank accounts.
The teachers came from the regions of Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol and Western Visayas.
TDP Chairperson Benjo Basas said they sought help from the Department of Education to address the issue.
Landbank meanwhile urged the public to remain vigilant against phishing scams and reminded them not to open suspicious emails, links and attachments.
Clients may report fraudulent activities to their handling branch or to its Customer Care Hotline through (02)8-495-7000 or 1-800-10-405-7000 or via email at [email protected].
Phishing scams
NBI Cybercrime Division agents last week arrested five individuals allegedly involved in the massive hacking of Banco de Oro accounts that affected more than 700 clients in December 2021.
The probe showed that one of the members of the “Mark Nagoyo” group develop scampage or phishing website which was used to obtain details of victims.
State prosecutors indicted four individuals over the hacking incident and ordered further investigation into the participation of one of the arrested Nigerian nationals.
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