OFWs: Beware of Text Scams

An advisory regarding a promotional scam via text messaging was recently issued by the Department of Budget and Management. The said scam targets overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families.

GMANews.TV received an email from Lucy Castro inquiring the validity of a text message saying that she won USD 40,000 in the electronics raffle draw “Pangkabuhayan 2008 para sa Kababayang OFW/OCW."

According to Castro the text message was supposedly from Mrs. Laura B. Pascua, said to be the Undersecretary Mrs. Laura B. Pascua" of the Budget department's "Special Division Office.

The Budget department confirmed that Pascua is an official of their department. However Pascua deny that she has something to do with the text scam.

In a text message to GMANews.TV, Pascua said, “I’ve been receiving queries from my email on this too. I’ve been saying that it is not a function of [the Department of Budget and Management] to promote programs for OFWs nor do we have funds for this in the budget. It shameful that people do hoax or scams like these."

Budget Secretary, Rolando Andaya Jr., Budget Secretary Rolando said that they thought no one would pay attention to the text message as it was  an obvious scam.

Andaya said,  “It doesn’t take a lot of sophistication to know at first glance that it is a crude scam. But lately we have been receiving inquiries. Its no laughing matter anymore, so we refer it to proper authorities. If you recall, we’ve been taking out newspapers ads a year ago warning the public against promos on fake fund release documents, and other scams offered by people who claim to come from DBM.”