LTO-6 warns public against online ‘fixer’ scams

By Gerome Dalipe IV

The Land Transportation Office–Region VI (LTO-6) based in Iloilo City has warned the public about an increase in online “fixer” scams after a man from Passi City, Iloilo lost PHP7,000 to a fraudster posing as an LTO assistant on Facebook.

The victim, a hardware store employee from Barangay Man-it, reported that a Facebook account named “Jaro License Assistant” offered to process his student permit application.

In his affidavit, he said he contacted the account Thursday morning and was instructed to go to the LTO-6 office in Quintin Salas, Jaro, Iloilo City.

The suspect then told him to send PHP7,000 via GCash for processing.

After the transfer, the account stopped responding.

When the victim sought help from the LTO Public Assistance and Complaints Desk (PACD), personnel confirmed that the account was not affiliated with the agency.

LTO-6 Legal Officer Atty. Jehan U. Miranda assisted him in filing a formal complaint.

Following the directive of Regional Director Atty. Gaudioso P. Geduspan II and Assistant Regional Director Jeck D. Conlu, Intelligence and Investigation Unit Chief Shiela Mae C. Alulod requested help from the Regional Anti-Cyber Crime Unit of Police Regional Office-6 to identify the suspect.

“We take these matters seriously. Fixing and identity misrepresentation not only violate the law but also erode public trust in our agency,” Geduspan said.

Conlu urged the public to be vigilant and report similar incidents immediately.

“We appeal to the public to be cautious and to immediately report similar incidents to LTO-6 or the nearest police station,” he said.

“We are working closely with law enforcement to identify and prosecute those behind these fraudulent activities.”

LTO-6 reminded the public that all agency transactions must be processed onsite and that it does not solicit fees through social media private messages.

The agency encouraged anyone contacted or victimized by accounts claiming to act on its behalf to assist in the investigation.

LTO-6 said it will continue coordinating with cybercrime authorities to trace fake accounts and hold perpetrators accountable.