Woman who bought second-hand laptop scammed out of P7,000

Hoping to start an online business amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, Joyce Chua became the victim of a scam and lost P7,000 after she tried to buy a second-hand laptop from an online seller in December.

According to Mike Enriquez’s report on “24 Oras,” Chua initially planned to meet-up with the seller, alias Cecilia, to ensure the validity of their transaction.

Cecilia, however, told Chua she could not meet up with her as she was watching over her father at the hospital. She also sent pictures of her supposed father in bed as proof.

“Nakiusap po sa akin ‘yung ka-transact ko po na ipadala ko na daw posa Gcash ‘yung pera kasi nga daw po need daw po niya ng pera para daw po sa tatay niya,” Chua said.

Chua said Cecilia then assured her that the laptop was on its way to her, and even sent a video showing the computer being handed over to a  delivery application motorcyclist.

“Tumawag po sa akin ‘yung Lalamove kaso po ang mali ko lang po hindi ko po natanong kung ano po pangalan nung nag de-deliver sa akin,” Chua said.

Chua said the laptop did not arrive and the number she used to contact Cecilia was suddenly deactivated. Due to this, the Sumbungan ng Bayan coordinated with Lalamove Philippines to confirm the transaction on the delivery app.

However, the investigation conducted by Lalamove Philippines showed that there was no such transaction.

“Upon checking the information provided, both the seller and the supposed Lalamove partner driver are not in our system,” Lalamove said in a statement

“Unfortunately, in this case, the complainant cannot provide us an order number so we can verify if indeed the services passed through the Lalamove platform,” it added.

Lalamove said it is also possible that the person in the video was only pretending to be a Lalamove driver or that the video was for a different transaction.

“Kung wala talaga sa databse ni Lalamove ‘yung alleged rider na sinasabi, ibig sabihin wala talaga sa kanila. Because we are inclined to believe that platforms more kaysa doon sa mga individual online sellers na totally hindi mo talaga alam,” Trade and Industry Undersecretary Ruth Castelo said.

“Because member platforms have a reputation to protect,” she added.

Meanwhile, National Bureau of Investigation — Anti-Cybercrime Group (NBI-ACG) chief Victor Lorenzo said it was “obvious” that the rider pretended to be a delivery person.

“Yung nag-receive kinunan lang siguro ng video para maging props lang… on the side nung buyer, talagang maniniwala ka. Puwede siya mag-file ng formal complaint with us,” Lorenzo said.

The investigation of the NBI and the Department of Trade and Industry will continue. — DVM, GMA News