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Friday, March 29, 2024

OFW loses over P1m to scam by cyber ‘sorceress’

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An overseas Filipino worker (OFW) has lost more than P1 million in an online scam being ran by an alleged “sorceress” who entices victims into buying items used by fake healers and fake fortune tellers.

In a report on GMA’s “24 Oras”, victim Faye (not her real name) said she had spent more than P1 million for over a year on products offered by the “sorceress” who runs an online business.

“’Yung yung sinasabi niya kasi nga may protection… Na in case raw po sa kulam, gayuma… Masakit po sa masakit. Nagtiwala ka and everything tapos ikaw pa ‘yung… Nanakot pa po sila (She told me it is for my protection… against spells. I never suspected the seller to be a scammer. I was hurt. I trusted her and everything…they were even threatening me,” the victim narrated.

Another victim, Elvie (not her real name), said she paid around P60,000 for such items as stones, amulets, potions, and dolls.

Elvie was tricked into buying from the suspect after the latter promised to help resolve her family woes.

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“Nahulog lang ako kasi parang lahat ng mga charms na sinasabi niya, mga rituals, gawin mo to. Hanggang sa na ano ko na lang naubos na yung pera ko sa tatlong bangko ko na naipon,” she said.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said the online sellers who victimized Elvie and Faye only posed to be “sorceress” to sell their items. They are now investigating, according to the report.

“Their engagements with their would-be victims start on popular social media sites. And then they will provide a site where their scam items are being offered.),” NBI Cybercrime Division Chief Supervising Agent Chris Pas said.

Pas said the NBI would coordinate with the involved social media sites to identify the suspects and stop such scams on the platforms.

“We will coordinate with the social media sites. We will request for the preservation of digital evidence and of course, the immediate deletion of these bogus profile pages,” he said.

“We should be vigilant of scammers online. And again, these scammers are only taking advantage of the
weaknesses of their victimS,” he warned.

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