By Allan Francisco
In an exclusive interview, a netizen named Aaron Cruz narrated how a scammer tried to victimize him through a fake swab result services.
A certain Alexa Chua promised him on Facebook a fast and negative swab result for only ₱1,500. The scammer gave him a GCash account under the name of Angielyn Almadrones for the payment. Cruz did not push through with the transaction, doubting its legitimacy. He posted it on Facebook to warn everyone.
“Sa government natin (To our government), to address this type of modus. One of the reasons why people opt to go with this illegal and irresponsible activities (is) because of the availability of testing. Sa ngayon kung hindi man siya free, sana maging affordable naman (For now, if it cannot be free, it could at least be affordable),” he opined.
This PTV reporter tried calling the number given by Cruz. A lady who requested anonymity for security reasons, said that she is the employer of Angeline Almadrones and they have a money remittance and payment business in Manila.
The lady claimed that their GCash account was used by a scammer.
“Anyone could just you know, go to the payment center, cash out as long as they give us the correct reference number or screenshot of the GCash transaction and we release the money,” Angeline’s employer explained.
Upon interviewing Angielyn Almadrones, she admitted being traumatized since her name has been used unscrupulously. A complaint has already been filed with the authorities.
“Sana po ano, tigilan niya na po para wala po. Iba’t ibang GCash kasi nagsisend sa amin ng masasama po. Sinasabi pong NBI (National Bureau of Investigation), tapos makarma ka na. Sa akin po, wala naman akong ginagawa. Paano ako makakarma, ganoon (I appeal to you to please stop this so it will be over. Different GCash (accounts) have been sending us bad messages. Some say they are NBI, that I should have karma. For me, I am not doing anything. How will I get karma?)” Almadrones pleaded.
They also appealed to those who got victimized by the scammer to contact them so they can trace it.
Department of Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire confirmed complaints received about the scam of fake swab results and these are being monitored.
“You will be sanctioned and penalized kung kayo po ay mahuhuli,” Vergeire warned.
The law dictates that once caught, scammers would be penalized. She also lamented that scams like this could worsen COVID active cases.
The DOH can verify if swab results are from licensed laboratories. She advised the public to be more vigilant and check the department’s website for legitimate laboratories that conduct swab testing.
“Mayroon po tayong listahan na iyan sa DOH website po natin at makikita niyo rin naman po sa mga laboratoryo na iyan, may mga lisensya silang nakapaskil (We have a list in the DOH website and you can see in those laboratories that their licenses are posted),” Vergeire added.
