Scammer offers negative COVID-19 test, no appearance required, all for P1k

Authorities are looking into reports of individuals selling falsified negative RT-PCR test results for travel requirements.

According to Oscar Oida's report on "24 Oras" on Wednesday, a netizen revealed that an alleged employee from a legitimate laboratory offered her instant negative RT-PCR results without having to go through the process of swabbing at all.

"Elma" said she inquired for the home service of RT-PCR in a social media post of a laboratory when an alleged employee suddenly messaged her privately.

Elma said the employee asked her if she wants to undergo swab testing or just get instant negative results instead.

She then asked if it was a scam, but the employee told her the results came directly from the clinic and are already encoded in the system.

The employee even told Elma that she already helped many individuals for their travel requirements.

The non-appearance negative result costs P1,000.

Elma then reported the incident to the Department of Health but the Facebook account of the employee was already deactivated.

Meanwhile, Hero Laboratories denied the suspect was its employee.

"Hindi po totoo 'yong claim niya na konektado siya office ng Hero Laboratories. Mayroon pong security features 'yong certificates po namin na hindi po nagagaya noong mga pinost po," Hero Laboratories operations manager Gian Cauton said.

Cauton said they already coordinated with the National Bureau of Investigation regarding the matter.—Ma. Angelica Garcia/LDF, GMA News