MMDA seeks NBI help over text scam involving NCAP

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Wednesday asked the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for help regarding an illegal SMS scheme using the No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP) as clickbait.

MMDA Chairman Don Artes said many individuals receive texts with links regarding supposed penalties amounting to P1,000. He said more than 180 individuals have paid the MMDA because of the text messages.

"Kapag clinick niyo 'yung link, mapupunta kayo sa isang site na parehong-pareho halos ng sa amin. Ang pinagkakaiba lang 'yung URL, pero sino ba naman ang tumitingin n'un," he said.

(When you click the link, it takes you to a site that looks almost exactly like ours. The only difference is the URL. But who really pays attention to that?)

Artes said the MMDA returned the money to individuals who paid their supposed fines to the agency. However, he said some may have paid through the sites sent by the scammers.

"Imagine ninyo, 'yung 180 individuals na nagkamali lamang na sa amin nagbayad, imaginin niyo po 'yung nagbayad sa kanila na napunta sa kanila 'yung pera. For sure, milyon na po 'yan," he said.

(Imagine the 180 individuals who made the mistake of making payments to us. Now, imagine those who paid fines to the scammers. For sure, the amounts collected are in the millions of pesos.)

NBI Director Melvin Matibag said the NBI Cybercrime Division is looking into the matter. He said the bureau will also coordinate with other agencies.

"Mayroon na rin kaming mga ganitong na-encounter na problema so we are committed to help," he said.

(We have encountered similar problems before, so we are committed to help.)

"Mayroon silang mga technology na ginagamit kasi nakaka-text blast sila," he added.

(They have technology that they use because they are capable of sending mass text messages.)

Meanwhile, Artes warned the public that the MMDA does not include links for its text notifications regarding the NCAP.

He also said there are no penalties for late payment.

"Hindi ko naman sinasabi na huwag kayo magbayad, pero hindi po totoo na may penalty kaming ini-impose for late penalty. Kaya po kapag maka-receive kayo ng ganyan, red-flag po 'yan," Artes said.

(I’m not saying that you should not make your payment, but it is not true that we impose penalties for late payment. So if you receive a message like that, it should be a red flag.)

Artes advised the public to visit the official MMDA site. — VDV, GMA News