BOC warns vs. ‘love scam’ as victims rise amid quarantine

The Bureau of Customs (BoC) has warned the public against "love scam" amid the increasing number of Filipinos falling victims into the scheme during the quarantine period.

According to a 24 Oras report by Ivan Mayrina on Wednesday, the BOC recorded more than 100 cases of love scam in the three months when the lockdown was implemented.

BOC said the culprits seemed to take advantage of the boredom and need of some citizens through the modus of making their victims fall in love with them and earning their trust on social media.

"Targetting is through the social media accounts ng mga kababayan natin, nagko-conduct sila ng some sort of a background check doon sa tao, sa mga activities niya. Kaya minsan madali nilang mapahulog 'yung loob kasi nakikita nila kung ano 'yung mga gusto, ano 'yung madalas i-post," Customs Assistant Commissioner Vincent Maronilla said.

After the suspects lead their victims into a "mutual understanding," they will send to them either an expensive package or a parcel with a huge amount of money.

But the culprits will claim the package was stuck at the BOC and the victims will have to pay the tax to reclaim it.

In one case the agency is currently investigating, a victim lost P100,000 to the criminals.

"'Pag kinontak 'yung biktima, sasabihin na naipit sa amin sa BOC at may kailangang bayaran para mailabas ang kargamento. Ang unusual is that napapapayag silang magbigay at magdeposito sa mga remittance centers," Maronilla said.

The BOC warned the public to pay taxes only through accredited banks and customs' cashiers, and not through remittance centers.

Police arrested two Nigerian nationals in Baguio City in February accused of profiteering from their victims.

The suspects introduced themselves as another individual on social media and made their targets fall in love with them through enticing or pitiful stories.

They will then ask their victims for money in return, and will no longer show up soon after.—Jamil Santos/LDF, GMA News