BSP Alerts Overseas Filipinos of E-mail Scam

A number of advisories have been recently issued by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) pertaining to new cases of e-mail and text scams which particularly target Filipinos abroad, Philippines' residents in South East Asia, as per the news published by GMA NEWS.TV on April 10, 2010.

Dr. Johnny Noe E. Ravalo, Central Supervisory Support Managing Director of the BSP's Supervision and Examination Sector, in a letter addressing Overseas Workers Welfare Association, referred to the fake text messages telling the recipients of their winning in a lottery supposedly sponsored by the BSP or any other government institution, as per the news published in the GMANEWS.TV, on April 10, 2010.

The Filipinos living abroad were recommended by the advisory on April 8, 2010 that they must avoid falling for text scams that tell the recipients of winning in a raffle/lottery sponsored by the government agencies.

Moreover, the BSP stated that the senders of these scam e-mails generally recommend the recipients to send prepaid telephone credits or money so as to cover the cost incurred in processing before the supposed prizes may be claimed. The vicious senders use fabricated names or often masquerade as government officials.

BSP further added that the scammers generally require intended preys to forward their prepaid loads to specific phone numbers. The moment scammers get the prepaid load or money, the victims would be unable to have any further interaction with them.

Experts said that phishing scams are now becoming more widespread and sophisticated in approach. The Philippine Consulate General in Saipan recently reported to the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) about an Internet scam. This scam exploits the Oman-based Philippine Embassy address to give it an authentic look, as reported by the Department of Foreign Affairs website on April 9, 2010.

In this attack, spammer use similar scheme which includes sending e-mails to unwary victims, telling them that their lucky e-mail account has won a £500,000 cash prize. The e-mail address "PHILIPPINE EMBASSY" muscatpe@omantel.net.om, apparently originating from Oman, is used in the scam.

Thus, in case anyone receives similar e-mail from the said e-mail id, the person is recommended not to reveal personal information such as credit card numbers or bank account details, or send any money.

» SPAMfighter News - 4/23/2010