A teacher in Daet, Camarines Norte who lost her pet dog fell victim to a scam perpetrated by an alleged police officer who said to have recovered the dog. 

The teacher posted an appeal on social media after her Siberian Husky named 'Mitsuki' went missing on December 31, 2023.

She then received a message from a man who claimed to be a cop and claimed that he had found the dog. 

She was told that the dog was taken by his fellow police officer. But he started asking for money for various reasons, including running out of gasoline for the motorcycle he used to transport the dog.

In good faith, the teacher sent money twice amounting to P800 but she soon realized something was suspicious when the man demanded for another P400. She no longer gave in.

The man could no longer be traced.

The Camarines Norte Provincial Cyber Response Unit has warned the public about scams, saying it is a cybercrime and can be prosecuted under the Anti-Cybercrime Law.

"Mas maganda na isosoli nila yung bagay na kanilang nakuha sa mga agency o mga law enforcement agency na pwedeng makatulong, para mas mabilis na ma-locate yung tunay na may-ari," PEMS Gil Dumapias, an investigator, advised those who may find items that got lost, even pets.