OVP warns public against fake post giving cash, free groceries

Vice President Sara Duterte (File composite image)

MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Vice President (OVP) warned the public against a fake social media post circulating online using the name and photo of Vice President Sara Duterte.

The post lured unsuspecting individuals into clicking a dubious link by featuring Duterte offering to provide free cash and groceries.

“The Office of the Vice President informs the public that this social media promotion is deceitful or a scam,” the OVP said in Filipino in a statement on Friday.

“This is not Vice President Sara Duterte’s program or that of the Office of the Vice President. If you have information about this, please immediately report it to the police.”

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In September, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported that it had received over 8,000 complaints of various online scams from victims who lost more than P155 million.

Perpetrators, according to the PNP, commonly use popular social media platforms, payment, messaging, and selling apps and websites to carry out their nefarious ways.