Security and Exchange Commission Davao (SEC-Davao) Director lawyer Katrina Jamilla Ponco-Estares warned the public on Friday against online lending and financing schemes.
According to Estares, quite a few people fell victims of these schemes now because the majority of people are hooked on social media.
She added that these online lending scams or illegal online loan entities are using online apps to lure borrowers, however, will ask for an advance fee like the Advance Fee Loan Scams.
“More on online ang mga scams ngayon. At mostly hindi registered sa SEC at mostly sa online lang. Meron kaming makikita online na invitation to the public to invest,” Estares said during Business Forum at NCCC.
Estares reported that from January to June this year, SEC-Davao received 11 complaints about investment schemes in the Davao Region.
She added that 77 complainants lodged complaints at SEC-Davao against lending and financing scams.
“Mas marami tayo ngayon sa lending and financing around 77 complainants na naglapit sa office to ask kung ano ang gagawin nila kasi hina-harass sila, or mag inquire kasi mangungutang sila pero may hinihingi na pera from the borrower bago makuha ang loan. Yung sa 77 recurring ang pangalan nung entity yung online lending app,” she said.
Estares also mentioned the recharging and tasking scams, which involve fraudsters enticing people online, claiming to offer online jobs through fake e-commerce platforms.
“Meron recharging and tasking scams yung ini-invite kayo online, mag share or mag like kayo or tapusin ninyo panoorin ang isang advertisement then after that meron ibibigay na pera sa inyo pero hihingi din siya sa inyo. Nanghihingi at nagbibigay din ang nabibiktima,” she said.
Estares said they conducted an investigation and submitted their reports to SEC headquarters.
“Sa amin pag may nagsusumbong pinapa-investigate namin pero minsan kulang ng information kasi wala ng complainant. Ang ginagawa namin inindorse namin sa HQ for monitoring,” she said.
SEC advisories warn the public against Advance Fee Loan Scams and Money Muling by avoiding borrowing money using FB, WhatsApp, and Telegram.
To prevent more people from becoming victims of these types of scams, Estares said the SEC placed measures and advised the public not to believe those who are soliciting investment online.
She added that they are collaborating with the local government units (LGUs) in the Davao Region to intensify monitoring and prevention,
“Sa grassroot level kasi ang una nabiktima kaya nagpapatulong kami sa LGUs through partnership para ma-capacitate namin ang mga tao nila or mag set up ng sumbungan para sila ang mga re-report sa amin,” she said.
