PDEA Warns Public Against Cellphone Load Scam

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) is warning the public against unscrupulous people introducing themselves as PDEA Officers and ask for thousands of pesos’ worth of cellphone load.

PDEA Director General Aaron N. Aquino issued the public advisory amid a report about scammers victimizing one of the offices in Davao City last Thursday, April 4, 2019.

A spurious mobile phone call was received by one of their staff allegedly originating from PDEA Regional Office XI (PDEA ROXI) that its Regional Director Antonio E. Rivera and companions will drop by their office. The caller also asked for a cellphone load amounting to P3,000.

The staff, who received the call, immediately went out to buy the load. However, after the load transaction was completed, and when the staff called the number, it was already unattended. The staff then called PDEA ROXI to confirm the visit, but found out that Director Rivera did not commit to anyone.

“Do not be fooled. It is a strategy of swindlers exacting cellphone load using the identity of people in authority. They tried to defraud victims by riding the crest of the intensified national anti-drug campaign,” Aquino said.

The PDEA advises the public after ending the conversation with a suspicious caller, to confirm the appointment first by calling the official contact numbers of PDEA offices and personnel. “Immediately report any fraud or scam carried out through phone calls, texts or internet using the name of the Agency,” the PDEA chief added. (PDEA)