SC: Beware of extortionists using fake legal documents
Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo —Photo Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office
BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo reminded the public on Wednesday to be more discerning as he warned against fraudulent orders, notices, issuances and advisories falsely attributed to the Supreme Court as well as other courts and judicial offices, following numerous complaints about fake legal documents being sent to individuals.
“To my fellow citizens, do not easily believe any notices or subpoenas you receive or see posted on social media that say you are being ordered to appear in court to explain something. Make sure the notice is real and accurate; verify it directly with the court mentioned in the document,” Gesmundo said in a chance interview.
“Let us be vigilant and cautious at all times to avoid falling victim to these scams,” he added.
Supreme Court spokesperson Camille Ting said in a press briefing that they have been receiving information and complaints that some people are using fake documents supposedly issued by regional trial courts to extort money from unsuspecting victims.
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“They are more of a moneymaking scheme because they tell you that if you don’t want the case to proceed against you, they will ask you to settle,” Ting said.
Authorities notified
In some instances, the scammers would even use Gesmundo’s name in the documents, the spokesperson added.
According to Gesmundo, the Supreme Court has reached out to government agencies like the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine National Police to help verify and identify those responsible for spreading the fake notices.
“We are careful to prevent the misuse of the judiciary, to stop the names of judges from being used for meaningless matters like these, and to prevent the exploitation of the public’s lack of verification in determining the truth behind what is being sent to them, supposedly in the name of judges. Let us be cautious with these things,” he said.
In a recent Facebook post, Bacolod-based lawyer Keith Balbin shared that his client received a fake court order that appeared to be a formal notice from a “Regional Trial Court Branch 27.” It warned her that if she did not settle the matter with the complainant within 24 hours, a subpoena would be issued, and the police would be involved.
