GCash and PNP nab “Love Romance” scammer

GCash, the country’s no.1 mobile wallet app, together with the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit Cordillera of the Philippine National Police-Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG), has uncovered and arrested the individual behind a Love Romance scam. Suspect Racel Guno allegedly swindled money from multiple chats using a fake Facebook profile named “Carter Gudson Gudson”. The latest victim was said to have transferred P84,927 to Guno’s account. After the transfer, the victim was blocked on Guno’s fake Facebook and Messenger accounts.  

By working together closely, GCash and the RACU COR implemented the Warrant of Arrest issued by Hon. Isagani G. Calderon, presiding judge of RTC First Judicial Region, Branch 8, La Trinidad Benguet issued on February 4, 2021 that resulted in the successful arrest of Guno in her condominium in Parañaque City. 

Following this incident, GCash reminds its users that they can better protect their GCash accounts by following these tips:

Check authenticity of messages from SMS, emails, and other social network sites. Online scammers have been rampant recently. Their usual scheme is using phishing links to victimize bank account holders through emails and even social networking sites. Be wary of these links especially if they come from suspicious sources. Legitimate messages only come from an official GCash site (https://www.gcash.com/), and verified Facebook and Instagram pages (https://www.facebook.com/gcashofficial, https://www.instagram.com/gcashofficial/). Always remember that GCash will never ask for your MPIN, One-Time Password (OTP), and the CVV on your credit card.

Never share your MPIN and OTP. The MPIN may be used to access your account. While scammers can get very creative in trying to get this data from you, their end goal will always be the same: getting your MPIN, OTP, or CVV — three most important data that you should only keep to yourself at all times. So this should immediately be your sign to stop the transaction and report the scammer via the GCash User Complaint Form (https://help.gcash.com/hc/en-us/articles/360034636613-GCash-User-Complaint-Form). Another option is to text 2882 from your Globe number to get the assistance you need.

Know how the Customer Protect Program works. GCash has added the Customer Protect Program to their product, which is designed to help detect and prevent fraudulent activities. Qualified users are eligible for compensation for unauthorized transactions in case of identity theft and/or loss of mobile phone. The amount of compensation depends on the validation level of users. Fully verified users may be compensated for up to Php100,000. 

Cashless transactions are now an integral part of our daily living. That’s why scammers have become extremely creative in victimizing frequent users of the e-wallet app. By knowing these tips from GCash, you can be more aware of their schemes, and consequently better protect your account from fraudsters and continue to use the mobile wallet for various convenient services from buying essentials to paying for utilities. 

For more information, visit www.gcash.com.