BDO Unibank Inc. is warning the public about a new scam wherein fraudsters promise huge amounts of cash to customers in exchange for using their bank accounts to launder money. They become “money mules” if they do, the bank said.
Agreeing to this scam allows criminals to use their personal bank accounts for cash deposits or online transfers. The bank said that sources of these transactions are illegal, citing fake charity or donations for coronavirus pandemic, among others.
Under Republic Act 9160 or the Anti-Money Laundering Act, a “money mule” faces imprisonment of up to seven years and penalty of up to P3 million.
BDO emphasized that clients and the public should ignore all suspicious calls, electronic mails, private messages and website links that promote such scheme.
“Do not let other people use your bank account, debit card or credit card to make transactions on their behalf,” the bank said. “Never provide your personal and account details to anyone.”
Ultimately, the clients should never share bank information to other people even though they appear legitimate, BDO said noting this is the most effective protection against scams.
Login details and one-time passwords, for example, should only be known to the bank account holder. Customers are advised to be vigilant against people pretending to be bank employees asking for such information.
BDO also pointed out that there are website hyperlinks that scam customers.
“Here’s a useful tip, to check the veracity of the email, let your cursor linger on the weblink without clicking on it. A preview will reveal that it leads to a different site and not to the official website of your bank,” it said.
In an earlier advisory to customers, BDO said there are “fake call center agents tricking people into believing someone else used their debit or credit card to buy something expensive.”
Should this happen, the bank urged clients to report the incident.
1 comment
Honestly I was scammed by some Filipinas having bank accounts at BDO-EPCI account nos. 012680024512 bank holder was Routhcel N. RAMOS she has even received money from my through remittances bank tel. Nos. 632 702 6664 and Josalyn Loterte bank nos. 010540081434 same bank address as Routhcel. I am trying to find a way to get back my money. The one I interacted was a US MIL. Who needed financial support,he promised to pay me back but recently I come to find out that he used me, scammed me providing fake documents I want to report these women as Fraudulent and money mules, but don’t know where to begin. Us there a possibilities to freeze the accounts of these women? I have evidences of the transactions between those 2 ladies.
Kind regards,.