Lawyer Fortun warns vs online scam using his name

Lawyer Raymond Fortun  (INQUIRER PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA)

MANILA, Philippines — Lawyer Raymond Fortun is warning the public to beware of an online solicitation scam using his name.

In a Facebook post on Friday, Fortun said that the bank has acted on his formal complaint.

https://www.facebook.com/701637056/posts/10158336588472057/?d=n

“The bank has favorably acted on my formal complaint and has suspended the account pending investigation,” he said.

Fortun said a scammer sent messages to his Facebook friends using a fake Facebook Messenger account, soliciting money for his supposed hospital bill of P118,000 due to an accident.

“SCAM PO ITO. Hindi po ako na-aksidente, hindi ko kilala itong tao na ito, at hindi ko siya inutusan na manghingi ng pera sa ibang tao,” he said.

(This is a scam. I did not have an accident, I do not know this person, and I did not authorize this individual to solicit money from other people.)

“Ang kanyang ginawa ay estafa at paglabag sa ating Anti-Cybercrime law on identity theft,” the lawyer added.

(This is a case of estafa and violation of the Anti-Cybercrime law on identity theft.)

Fortun advised those victimized by the scam to send him a private message, hoping that their money could still be recovered and may lead to the arrest of the scammer.

“KUNG NAGLABAS KAYO NG PERA DAHIL SA GANITONG URING TEXT, please send me a private message, baka ma-recover pa natin ang pera nyo. Matulungan nyo din po ako na mapakulong itong scammer na ito,” he said.

(If you gave money due to this text, please send me a private message, we may still recover your money. You could also help me bring the scammer to prison.)

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