PNP urges public to report fraudulent online purchases

MANILA, Philippines — Amid the season of gift-buying and the rising popularity of online shopping platforms, the Philippine National Police on Friday urged people victimized by scams to report incidents and be on guard for future transactions.

PNP Deputy Spokesperson Supt. Kimberly Molitas said customers with complaints should keep the transaction records and the item purchased as well, as it can be used as evidence in filing complaints.

“Please report it to the nearest police station, we have the Anti-Cybercrime group who are the experts on these kinds of crimes […] para po mai-guide kayo kung ano ang gagawin (so we can guide you on what to do),” Molitas told reporters at Camp Crame.

“We encourage also na ‘wag niyong i-delete or baguhin (not to delete or change), do not make any movement on the transaction that you did online para po magamit ‘yon ng ating (so it can be used by our) Anti-Cybercrime Group na mag build ng (to build an) investigation and case against any entity na nanloko doon sa ating mga kababayan (that duped our fellowmen),” she added.

A lot of people view online shopping as an easy alternative to traditional methods, especially since the traffic in Metro Manila during the holiday season has always been horrendous.

However, there have been several cases where items purchased through the internet, even through legitimate and commercialized websites or applications, were allegedly starkly different from what was advertised.

Just recently, a Facebook user posted a photo of stones placed inside the packaging of power banks, in a supposed attempt to trick customers. The purchase was made through a well-known online shopping platform.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10156837684162298&set=a.420048247297&type=3&theater&_rdc=1&_rdr

The PNP official also advised customers to use a cash-on-delivery scheme whenever applicable, and to check the packages before signifying that they have been received.

“It’s also good, if you are to do cash-on-delivery dahil (because) you have your goods and then you pay, para ka lang din namang bumili (just like you just bought) in actual […] It would be better for both ends, maganda (good) especially sa mga mamimili (to buyers), advantage siya dahil masisigurado na ‘yong goods na inorder nila ay ‘yong babayaran nila (because the goods they are paying for are sure to be what they ordered),” Molitas explained..

“Mas maganda na kung dineliver sa atin, tignan natin agad kung ‘yan ba ‘yong inorder talaga natin, para even ‘yong nag-deliver, makita niya kung ano talaga ‘yong na-deliver niya (Better if we look at the delivery at once so that even the delivery person will see what he delivered),” she added.

In case complaints arise from the transaction, the person who brought the package can also attest whether the item purchased is similar to the item delivered.

“On that end, they can also serve as witness na makakatulong ‘don sa ating that can phel in our) complaint against any entity na hindi tama ‘yong ibinigay or ipinadala sa atin (that did not delivery the correct item),” she added./lb