Several resorts in Glan, Sarangani have raised the alarm after their clients fell victim to fake booking scams wherein suspects create fake social media pages to deceive clients online.

One of these resorts is Isla Jardin del Mar Resort whose promotional video featuring its white sand beach and swimming pool was reposted by scammers using a fake account bearing the resort’s name.

The scheme targets potential clients making online reservations, tricking them into sending payments.

According to the management of the resort, the modus has already affected around 300 clients since November 2025 up to the recent Holy Week break.

Victims reportedly lost an average of P4,000, with the highest recorded amount reaching P40,000.

“We feel the pain of being scammed of their hard-earned money gyud ba. Nadamay pud ang atong reservations kay last month, ang fake page nakakuha na gayud sila og blue badge, and ever since, they got a blue badge, gi-report ang among page as fake,” Isla Jardin Del Mar Assistant Manager, Sydney Tan, said.

The town’s tourism office confirmed that several resorts have been targeted by similar schemes.

The office said at least five to seven resorts have had fake Facebook pages created under their names.

“Since 2025, nasa five to seven resorts ang nagawan ng fake Facebook page. Yung iba naagapan, na-turn down kaagad kasi na-mass report. Yun lang, nagkaproblema sa isa kasi na Meta-verified kasi ang fake na Facebook page,” Glan Supervising Tourism Operations Offcer, Rhoa Wadingan, said.

The PNP Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit-SOCCSKSARGEN (RACU-12) said investigations into the fake booking scam incidents are ongoing.

“Meron kaming ongoing cases niyan and ongoing din yung pag-gather ng mga evidences para makasuhan yung mga tao,” RACU-12 Operations Chief, Major Mark Gerlad Norbe, said.

Offenders may face charges for estafa under Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act (RA 10175).

“Penalty niya sir is pwede silang maparusahan under revised penal code na tinatawag na estafa, article 315 of the revised penal code in relation to 1175 or the cybercrime prevention act,” Norbe added.

Authorities urged the public to remain vigilant by booking only through official resort websites or verified pages, confirming contact details with local tourism offices, or visiting the location in person when possible.

Other victims of fake booking scams are also encouraged to report to the police to aid in tracking the perpetrators down.