DTI warns: Dishonest online buyers may face imprisonment

Buyers found liable for deceiving online sellers may face imprisonment, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) warned Wednesday, as consumers turned to Internet shopping due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking at the Laging Handa briefing, DTI Undersecretary Ruth Castelo urged online sellers to document calls and text messages from bogus buyers.

“I-save ninyo rin kasi this is estafa under the Revised Penal Code, so it’s punishable by imprisonment,” she said.

Castelo said the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) are ready to accept complaints that will be forwarded to the Department of Justice (DOJ), which will evaluate whether to file charges in court.

“Kailangan lang tulungan rin tayo ng complainant kung siya iyong seller or iyong food delivery platform na makapag-complain siya, mag-execute ng affidavit at makapag-complain. Tutulungan natin sila sa PNP or sa NBI,” she said.

“Kaya babala rin doon sa mga buyers na nanloloko o iyong mga wala naman talagang planong bumili pero gusto ang makaagrabyado ng tao, kulong po ang penalty diyan kaya huwag na nilang ituloy or tigilan na nila iyong mga ganiyang gawain nila.”

Last month, the House of Representatives approved on final reading the bill that seeks to regulate transactions in the e-commerce industry in the country.

House Bill 7805 reportedly makes it illegal to cancel orders for food and/or grocery items if the items have already been paid, are already in the possession of the ride-hailing service partner or in transit to the consumer.  — BM, GMA News