Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) OIC-Secretary Catalino S. Cuy has issued a stern warning to local chief executives, government officials and the public in general against scammers posing to be him or any of his staff or personnel.
Cuy’s action came after reports from various local officials reached his office, outlining the scheme being perpetrated by certain individuals who claim to be him and asks for cash donations for the Marawi victims.
“These unscrupulous individuals pretend to be me and try to trick mayors to give money for the evacuees in Marawi,” Cuy says. The red flag for everyone, according the OIC Secretary, is when the impostor asks the victims to deposit their cash donations to a money remittance center.
“Let the public be aware that the DILG does not solicit donations in this manner. It is a good thing to consult any DILG office if you wish to extend help,” he adds.
Cuy also issued a separate warning to local chief executives who could be victims of another impostor who promises “quick fixes” for their cases at the Office of the Ombudsman.
“This could well be another group of scammers who are out to prey on unsuspecting public officials having pending suspension or dismissal cases from the anti-graft court,” he reveals.
According to Cuy, an unidentified mayor from a city in Mindanao received a call from someone pretending to be the OIC Secretary who exerted pressure on him and asked for favors and money just to cause the delay of the implementation of his suspension or dismissal.
“We have coordinated with our police IT operatives to track down these people through the phone numbers that they use. Let us not become victims to these sweet- talking impostors. Exercise wise judgment at all times,” he says.
Meanwhile, an advisory will soon be released to all DILG field offices and all LGUs to alert potential victims of the modus.
“These people watch like a hawk for their possible preys. We should alert the public about their wily schemes,” warns Cuy. ###
