By Ruth Palo
December 12, 2022
DAVAO CITY: The Bureau of Customs (BoC) here has partnered with the Philippine National Police-Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit (PNP-RACU) in combating the prevalent "love scam" and minimizing further damage to the public.
The BoC in its report Saturday said the collaboration was in keeping with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s economic agenda on public safety and security.
According to the BoC, more people fall victim to this online fraudulent scheme where foreigners befriend Filipinos and engage them in romantic relationships, especially this holiday season.
The foreign friend would then tell them that they have sent gifts. However, payment is needed to get the package that is allegedly being held by the BoC. The gifts, however, do not exist.
In a recent meeting by the BoC and RACU, both agencies discussed the volume of complaints received each month and how the Port's Public Information and Assistance Division deals with them.
The bureau also asked RACU-11 to assist in the information dissemination of the "love scam advisory" of the port to reinforce the public warning of Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz.
The two agencies have exchanged and updated contact information to fast-track concerns and ease data sharing.
Col. Columbo Allan Aberia, RACU-11 director, admits that the scam has been happening for years and that a systematic investigation is a must.
Aberia assured that they will immediately act on the complaints forwarded to them by the BoC-Davao.
