Thursday, July 31, 2008
Speak out: Cell phone scam
By Lorenzo M. de la Serna
Lapu-Lapu City
MONDAY, July 6, 3:55 p.m. I received this text message:
“CONGRATS…Ur cell phone number had won P780,000 2nd prize winner draw last July 5 2008. To claim ur prize pls call me now, Sec. Bobby XC. Lopez, (the auditor, Phils. Charity Fundin)…per DTI-NCR No. 4728 Series of 2008. Sender: PCSO +639098204650.”
I called the sender immediately. “Who is this? I received a text message from you about winning P780,000.”
“All right, Sir, to claim your prize, you have two options. One is bank-to-bank and the other is we mail the check to you.”
“I`d rather have it deposited in my bank account.”
“Okay, text your full name, address, age, profession, name of bank, branch and account number, then call me.”
After texting the information needed, I called up the person.
“Ok, Sir…Do you have a pencil and paper there right now?” was the answer.
“Okay, go ahead,” I said.
“In order for us to deposit your check, buy six pieces of Smart Buddy and two pieces Talk`n Text prepaid call cards. ”
“I have it.”
“Buy the cards costing not less than P300 each. Do you know how much will the six cards cost at 300?”
“Yes, 2,400.”
“Okay, as soon as you have the cards, call me.”
“What are these call cards for?”
“That’s where we get some numbers for coding. Call me again when you have the cards so I can explain. Don’t forget to ask for a receipt from the store you buy the cards. Do it now so we can deposit your check right away.”
It was past 5 p.m. Then I wondered how they could deposit the check when the banks were already closed.
I called again, “Sir, I can’t do it now, how about tomorrow?”
“Bakit, wala kang pangbayad ngayon?”
“Wala, but I`ll try to scrounge somewhere.”
“Okay, call me as soon as you have the cards, I`ll wait for your call.”
“But it’s late…”
”It’s all right, I`ll wait for your call.”
From then on I received seven text messages of the same form: “Sir, I`m waiting.”
I did not reply anymore.
Early the following morning, I sent the following message. “After having bought the six cards, what next? Please tell all your instructions at one time to save money.”
At 9:30 a.m. I went to the bank to withdraw some money. I sat on a vacant chair across the hall. A friend sat beside me.
I proudly showed me the “Congrats message from the PCSO.”
“Porbida, Brod. Don’t believe that,” he exclaimed. “You will never get the so-called prize. They will ask you to call them until you consume the call cards they instructed you to buy. Then you lose contact with them.”
At 11:56 a.m., I received this text message: (WARNING) The Finance Committee informing that prize worth P780,000 declared unclaimed will be forfeited or cancelled within 30 minutes FROM RIGHT NOW! Thank you.”
If at all, it was forfeited all the time, I guess.
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (July 31, 2008 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
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