PNP warns against 'warrant of arrest' scams

The Philippine National Police warned against the recent proliferation of text scams that threaten recipients with lawsuits and arrests.

According to a 24 Oras report by Emil Sumangil on Friday, the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group called the new ploy a “warrant of arrest” scam.

The texts often claim that recipients have existing cases for which they will be arrested.

Some texts feature officer names, PNP offices, and the words “warrant” and “subpoena.”

Other texts also claim a sheriff will visit to check on the recipient’s property.

“Yung mga nakaka-receive nito, natatakot sila, tapos nagbibigay ng contact  number… Pag nakausap mo na, hihingan ka na nila ng pera para hindi ka na i-ano ng warrant of arrest, or sisingilin ka na nila ng bail para di ka hulihin. Yun ang modus nila,” said Police Captain Michelle Sabino of  the Eastern District Police Anti-Cybercrime Team.

(The people who receive this get scared, then they give a contact number… Once you talk to them, they will ask you for money so they will not issue a warrant of arrest, or they will ask you for bail so that they won’t arrest you. That is their ploy.)

The PNP said the scam messages used bad grammar and provided inaccurate information.

“Pati paggamit ng pangalan… rank ng officer, PS/SUPT [or] Police Senior  Superintendent… Hindi na natin ginagamit ito, matagal na. The way they  construct the message, hindi na siya kapani-paniwala,” Sabino said.

(Even the use of the names… the rank of the officer, PS/SUPT [or] Police  Senior Superintendent… We don’t use this anymore, for the longest time.  The way they construct the message, it’s not believable.)

“Usually, yung nga text messages na ito nanggagaling sa mga social messaging  apps… Yung mga encrypted… With the use of the internet, maiha-hide mo  yung identity mo roon,” she added.

(Usually, these text messages come from social messaging apps… the encrypted ones… With the use of the internet, you can hide your identity there.)

The PNP suspected that the scam syndicates have an insider at the court as most recipients have existing court cases.

Meanwhile, they reminded the public to stay vigilant against other similar scams.

“Ignore niyo… or pinaka unang gawin kung talagang may fear kayo, puntahan niyo ang court,” she said.

(Ignore it… or the first thing you can do if you are fearful, is go to the court.)

“Walang court orders, warrant of arrest or any other court orders, na  manggagaling sa text. Ipinapadala yan ng korte at meron silang mga  liaison officers who will do that,” she added.

(No court orders, warrant of arrest, or any other court orders, would be delivered through text. It will be sent by the court and they have liaison  officers who will do that.) — Jiselle Anne Casucian/DVM, GMA Integrated News