MANILA, Philippines — The city government of Manila on Thursday said it coordinated with police after five delivery riders were scammed by fake bookings which indicated Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso’s office as the recipient address.
The five orders were processed through different mobile delivery apps using a number of international mobile numbers, the city’s Public Information Office said.
It added that the instruction, written in Filipino, to bring the food to the mayor’s office was also attributed to Moreno.
Manila PIO chief Julius Leonen said they the information was sent to the cybercrime division of the Manila Police District. He added the city government will coordinate with officers of the mobile delivery apps regarding the matter.
Meanwhile, Moreno condemned the act as he noted that workers still struggle to make ends meet amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Alam naman po natin na marami ang gusto lang maghanapbuhay nang tapat at marangal. Huwag na natin sila i-prank, pagtripan o i-harass sa mga pekeng deliveries natin,” he said.
[Translation: We know that many just want to make an honest and decent living. Let’s not prank or harass them with these fake deliveries.]
In October, the Philippine National Police reported that online fraud, which comes in different forms of computer-related identity theft, topped the list of cybercrimes in this pandemic.
The Department of Trade and Industry urged the public to document details of digital transactions to track fake buyers.
Reporting by Patricia Elise Monsod
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