THE Davao Event Suppliers (Desa) urged the City Government of Davao to be stricter in going after fake wedding and other event suppliers as the scammers only come back to their old ways under different names.
Desa president Elinor Marcelino said they had received different complaints of victims scammed by seemingly different individuals.
However, upon further queries and putting the stories of the complainants side by side, Marcelino said they would often discover that the scammers only disguise themselves under another identity.
“Actually, some of the scammers had already been called and questioned by city councilor Al Ryan Alejandre. However, for some reason, they are able to get away with it, disappear for a while and then come back again in a different identity and would deceive other people again,” Marcelino said.
She continued that if the event scamming in Davao City continues, it may tarnish and affect the events industry in the city – all the more so that it attempts to be the center of Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE).
As for the part of City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO), head Generose Tecson said they are coming up with advisories for the general public to avoid more scamming incidents to happen in the city again.
“Ever since, CTOO really do not have police powers to arrest these scammers – it is the Business Bureau. We recommend to them, but only if there are complaints. The best thing to do really is to be wary of very cheap offers or “too good to be true” packages. Also check if they have tourism licenses and business permits that are updated,” said Tecson.