DOJ warns against fake gov’t procurement site

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has warned the public against a "fraudulent" online scheme that purportedly uses a website to misrepresent itself as the official procurement agency of the Philippine government.

The Philippines Project Award Commission — with a website at philippinesprojectawardscommission.info — is neither a recognized state agency nor a legally registered corporation listed in the Securities and Exchange Commission, the DOJ said in a public advisory.

"Through the said website, PPAC illegally conducts online public bidding, solicits money from foreign entities and issues fake official receipts purportedly emanating from Philippine government agencies, among other activities," the advisory said.

The "commission" presents itself as the "central procurement agency of the Philippine government." Its supposed authorized agents are  the  "Champs Court" and "Champion Court Business Consulting Agency," the DOJ added.

The department advised the public to exercise "extraordinary caution" in transacting online to avoid falling prey to other similar "fake websites."

It also urged the reporting of transaction attempts by the said entity to the following government offices: the DOJ Office of Cybercrime (cybercrime@doj.gov.ph); the National Bureau of Investigation (526-1294); and the Philippine National Police-Anti-Cybercrime Group (723-0401 local 5313).

It is the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) that is the "single, centralized electronic portal that serves as the primary and definitive source of information on government procurement." — MDM, GMA News