PNP cyber unit warns vs bogus online sellers

By Jennifer P. Rendon

 

If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

The PNP Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit 6 (RACU-6) warned the public against bogus online sellers.

While the region was on enhanced community quarantine, RACU-6 confirmed receiving several online complaints on some transactions that did not push through.

“Most of these complaints include bogus sellers of medical equipment and supplies,” Police Colonel Allan Aberia, RACU-6 chief, said on Monday.

Because of the scarcity of face masks and alcohol, buyers looked for the said products on social media, particularly Facebook.

“They were lured into buying because it was cheap,” Aberia said.

Some thought they could re-sell the products for a higher price.

“Most of our complainants claimed that they were enticed to buy in bulk because they were offered big discounts for bulk orders,” he said.

But once they paid, the Facebook page was deleted and they could not get hold of the reseller anymore.

Aberia said it is hard to run after someone who exists in the cyber world, especially those who are not from the region.

Travel restrictions also impeded their investigation, but he assured RACU is doing its best to run after cyber criminals.

On top of that, they also went active in their information drive against cybercrimes.

“I hope our public could discern a legitimate from a bogus seller. It’s easy to create a company in Facebook. It’s also easy for them to run off with your hard-earned money,” he said.

As much as possible, Aberia told the public to choose cash on delivery (COD) as their mode of payment when they don’t personally know the seller.

“Maraming manloloko at huwag po sana tayong magpaloko,” he said.