In a news release, the Philippine Embassy in London said the scammers introduce themselves as Philippine embassy personnel to fleece the relatives of UK-based OFWs.
"These fraudsters phone the parent or different close relatives within the Philippines informing them that their relative has been arrested or had been involved in a serious accident. They're going to then claim that he or she is a political official of the Philippine Embassy," the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.
The DFA said the scammers typically request the OFW's parent or close relative to send cash immediately, "purportedly to permit the Philippine Embassy to figure for the immediate release from jail or hospital of the overseas Filipino employee (OFW) and organize for his/her repatriation to the Philippines."
The embassy suggested the general public the DFA and its embassies and consulates worldwide to increase help to Filipinos in distress at no financial price to them or their families.
Coordination with an OFW's family within the Philippines is primarily created through the DFA in Manila, it added.
"In urgent cases, the Embassy could call the family on to convey data or secure different details or authorizations from the family, however never to solicit cash," it stressed.
On the opposite hand, the embassy additionally suggested Filipinos abroad to not disclose such personal data to persons who don't seem to be known to them or don't seem to be legitimate banking or remittance firms.
"Unsolicited e-mail requesting such details, in relation to alleged money prizes from lottery or raffle, ought to be ignored and deleted," it added.
Recipients of suspicious phonephone calls allegedly from the DFA or any of its embassies and consulates were suggested to contact the closest Philippine embassy or consulate or the DFA's workplace of Intelligence and Security at (632) 831-8921 or at ois@dfa.gov.ph.
Social Plugin