Con artists using his name prompt Panelo to quit Facebook, Messenger

Presidential Spokesperson  Salvador Panelo. INQUIRER PHOTO/LYN RILLON

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo has cautioned the public against con artists using his name to get money from people, particularly on Facebook.

“For the umpteenth time, I’m cautioning the public to be wary of scams using my name. As a result of this, I have decided to cut all my Facebook accounts, Messenger and [all other social media accounts] so they can no longer use it,” he told reporters on Thursday.

Panelo narrated that a friend had sent him an exchange of messages, supposedly between him and another person who was his former classmate at the University of the Philippines.

“It appears in that note that … I was asking for money. I was so upset that I had to call the person. Because he was telling me in his text, ‘How about the P200,000 you borrowed earlier?’” he said.

Panelo added he was baffled by how his friends could fall for such a scam, especially since they knew his cell phone number and could have easily called him up to verify.

“I told him, I wanted to curse like the President. I cannot even imagine why people like you would be entertaining this kind of scam. You know my number, why didn’t you call me?” he said.

According to Panelo, he has already reported the matter to the National Bureau of Investigation, adding that it was the fifth scam involving his name that he was aware of.

He theorized that some people may have been conned because of the credibility attached to his name and position.