Avoid online fixers, NBI-Central Visayas chief tells would-be investors

NO TO SCAMMERS. National Bureau of Investigation-Central Visayas Director Renan Oliva discusses the achievements of the Regional Office during the Kapihan sa Bagong Bagong Pilipinas forum hosted by Philippine Information Office (PIA)-7 head Fayette Rinen on Tuesday, Oct. 1. Oliva urged would-be investors not to transact with online fixers to avoid being scammed. (Screenshot from PIA-7 video)

CEBU CITY — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Central Visayas on Tuesday advised individuals, especially overseas Filipino workers, who are planning to invest their hard-earned money not to transact with online fixers to avoid being scammed.

At the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas forum, NBI-7 director Renan Oliva said scammers are on the loose using the internet, social media platforms such as Facebook, e-mail, and text messages.

“Common cases are cybercrime cases like investment scams, security hub scams, marriage scams, wedding planner scams. We have already filed cases, Oliva said.

The NBI-7 director also said they arrested an illegal recruiter who victimized 14 individuals recruited to work as farmers on a fictitious farm in Australia.

He said among the cases they had investigated was a marriage scam where victims were made to pay P15,000 for a marriage that never materialized.

Meanwhile, Oliva said the bureau had coordinated with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to put in place measures to prevent vote-buying using online money transfer platforms.

He urged the public to report and to stand as witnesses to prevent crimes from further happening and victimizing hapless citizens.

“The challenge is to get witnesses as you know we have to convince witnesses to cooperate. We cannot blame witnesses if they do not initially cooperate for fear for their lives,” he added. (PNA)

READ: NBI widening probe of immigration bureau ‘fixers’