THE Philippine National Police (PNP) warned the public on Friday, September 14, against a new modus operandi where extortionists call their would-be victims and demand that they pay up to remove their names from the police’s narco-list.
PNP Anti-Cyber Crime Group (ACG) director Chief Superintendent Marni Marcos Jr. said they have received several reports about a man introducing himself as a police officer and telling his prey over the phone that he has been implicated in the illegal drugs trade.
He said the suspects were using technology to modify phone numbers and make it appear that the number belongs to the government.
He said the victims usually give in to the demand of the callers for money.
Marcos said some of the victims even divulged their personal or financial information to the perpetrators.
In 2016, when President Rodrigo Duterte assumed office, the PNP strengthened its anti-illegal drugs campaign and launched the Oplan Tokhang which means “knock and plead.”
Under Oplan Tokhang, policemen together with barangay officials conduct house-to-house visits of drug personalities on their drugs watchlist and encourage them to surrender to the police and mend their ways.
However, Marcos maintained that Oplan Tokhang has “never in any way” been conducted through phone calls.
“Never submit yourself into any scam as this one. Remember that Oplan Tokhang is initiated by a PNP member in uniform to a person listed in a drug watchlist in his/her known address, accompanied by a Barangay Official,” he said.
“If you know that you are not involved in any illegal drugs activities, then do not be alarmed by any call or text you will receive and just ignore them,” he added.
Marcos also urged the public not to answer calls from unknown callers unless they identify themselves first through a text message and to save any suspicious message or phone call by taking a screenshot or record it.
He also encouraged the public to report to the police or call PNP ACG Hotline at 414-1560 or visit PNP ACG facebook page: “PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group” such kind of incidents for proper disposition and for investigation.
He also encouraged everyone to be vigilant and smart when they engage in any online activity. (SunStar Philippines)