Makati patient scammed by fake hospital staff

A patient lost P70,000 to a scammer posing as a Makati hospital assistant manager.

In a report by Katrina Son on 24 Oras Weekend, the victim, "Ken," was hospitalized on January 2 for stomach and back pain. He was due for discharge on January 13 but had to stay longer as his medical bill neared P500,000.

On January 31, Ken received a message from a woman named "Maica Reyes" who claimed he could leave the hospital by paying an initial P70,000.

Eager to reduce costs, Ken transferred P35,000 twice to a bank account supposedly belonging to his doctor.

Reyes assured him that a secretary would discuss his payment terms and required documents.

However, no one showed up, and the hospital’s billing department confirmed there was no such employee or manager’s office. His doctor's secretary also denied receiving any payment.

The Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) is now investigating the scam, particularly how the suspect obtained patient and doctor details.

"Nakita po namin dun sa previous po na na file na complant ay alam na alam po nung kausap ng bitkima yung lahat ng impormasyon tungkol dun po sa bikitima, sa pasyente, and also po sa hospital and doctor. Ang tanong nga po, paano nila nalaman yung mga detalye ng pasyente at nung doctor. Kung makita po natin na meron po talagang kasabwat dun, they will be delt accordingly din po.”

(The scammer used the doctor’s and hospital’s names. They knew detailed information about the victim, hospital, and doctor, raising concerns about an insider’s involvement.)

Another couple in Manila also lost P100,000 in a similar hospital-related scam. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/DVM, GMA Integrated News