Online scammers use Tagle’s name to rake in thousands of pesos

The National Bureau of Investigation is looking into scammers obtaining money from individuals by making them believe it is needed for Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle's hospital fees.

According to John Consulta's report on 24 Oras, Dr. Ramon Ramos, cousin of Cardinal Tagle, personally went to the NBI Anti-Cybercrime Office to report that scammers took control of his Facebook Messenger to ask for money.

Ramos said the online scammers fooled some individuals into thinking that Tagle is in the hospital in need of funds, when in fact he is currently in Rome serving as the prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.

The doctor added that based on the messages, it seems the suspects were able to make off with amounts ranging from P25,000 to P100,000 from a lot of doctors.

"Yung ninanawakan ninyo ng pera ay nagtatrabaho din. Huwag niyo po gawin ito [You are stealing from people who are also working. Don't do this]," he said.

Meanwhile, NBI Anti-Cybercrime Division chief Victor Lorenzo said Ramos may have clicked a link online that was able to get the username and password of his Facebook account, which enabled scammers to hack his account.

Lorenzo, nonetheless, reminded the public to verify online communication with their friends by calling their registered mobile number. — Consuelo Marquez/BM, GMA News