Scammer uses Pokwang’s home address for bogus staycation resort

Actress Pokwang has filed a complaint before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) after her home address in Antipolo was used as the location of a bogus staycation resort.

According to Emil Sumangil’s report in “24 Oras” on Monday, there were posts on social media warning about the non-existent “Sunnyside Resort”.

“Magaganda yung mga pino-post doon sa account niya…Ikaw naman mae-enganyo ka talaga. Pero wala talagang ganoong resort,” said Pokwang.

(The posts were actually so good that they are really deceiving…Of course, you will be enticed to book. But there’s no such resort like that.)

The actress also said that the clueless victims of the scam have been knocking on her gate since December last year, expecting that they have booked their much needed staycation.

Unfortunately, the victims were not able to get back their money as they were blocked by the scammer.

“Minsan, sa loob ng isang araw, ang kumakatok na tao dito, tatlo hanggang limang biktima sa isang araw lang ‘yun. At karamihan doon, nagda-down na,” said Pokwang.

(In a day, sometimes three to five victims knock on my gate. Most of them have already paid a downpayment.)

But the actress said she has no idea on why her home address was used for the scam. A notice was already put in her gate to advise the public that it’s a private property.

“Natatakot ako para sa family ko. Nilagay mo sa risk yung buhay ng pamilya ko. Hindi kita titigilan. Kakasuhan ko siya,” said Pokwang.

(I’m worried about my family’s safety. You put them at risk. So I will not stop hunting you. I will file a complaint against that person.)

The NBI advised the public to book their staycation in trusted platforms to avoid being scammed.

“Kailangan mag book sila sa regulated platforms natin. Since they are regulated… nakaka siguro tayo na mabo-book natin,” said NBI Cybercrime Division Executive Officer Vanessa Asuncion.

(Make your bookings on regulated platforms because you can be assured that it will push through.)

“Secondly, mag ocular…. make sure that the owner… legally allowed by the owner,” she added.

(Secondly, make an ocular visit…make sure that the owner legally allowed to have his property used for such business.) — Vince Angelo Ferreras/BAP, GMA Integrated News