A 58-year-old store owner in Mangaldan, Pangasinan is warning the public after losing more than ₱45,000 from her e-wallet account in a suspected QR code scam while attending to customers at her small store.

The victim, Aurea Sorio, said the incident happened Sunday, January 11, 2026, in Barangay Salaan. She was tending to her store when a man approached and asked to cash in money to pay for an online purchase.

What is cashing in?

"Cashing in" or "Cash in," in the context of e-wallets, refers to the process of adding money to the e-wallet. Cashing in is possible through various methods such as bank transfers and remittance partners.

According to Sorio, the man showed a screenshot of a QR code and paid ₱220 through the scan. He left the store but returned minutes later, claiming his payment was short. On his third visit, Sorio began to feel uneasy.

“Eh nagduda ako noong umalis kaya sabi ko, ‘Michelle, tingnan mo nga saan nagpunta.’ Eh tumakbo. Tapos nung ita-transfer ko na ’yung pera, wala na, naunahan na ako,” Sorio said.

Unknowingly, the man had scanned the QR code three times. Sorio found out later that her e-wallet balance had been drained gradually.

“Mahirap kumita ng pera. Halos hindi ako matulog para kumita ng pera, tapos ganun lang mangyayari. Diyos ko, wala silang awa,” she said.

The incident was reported immediately to the Philippine National Police. CCTV footage captured the plate number of the vehicle used by the suspect. The Land Transportation Office has already traced the vehicle and is coordinating with the police to identify and locate the suspect.

For Sorio, the incident served as a painful lesson to always verify details before engaging in online transactions.

The Pangasinan Provincial Cyber Response Team of the PNP advised the public to avoid scanning QR codes unless they are sure of their source.

Team leader, PMaj. Franklin Lacana, said merchants should insist on seeing QR codes generated in real time.

“Dapat ipakita nila mismo na doon nila i-generate mismo, na makita mismo ng tindera. At saka mas maganda, iwas-iwasan na lang ’yung ganun. Number na lang talaga,” Lacana said.

Police reminded business owners and consumers to stay vigilant as digital payment scams continue to rise.