PNP warns public vs ‘vacation scams’

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday warned the public against vacation scams amid the upward trend in the number of cases monitored by authorities.

Citing the Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG), PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said a total of 478 cases of scams involving travel, tour, and accommodation packages have been reported since 2021.

“We would like to take this opportunity to warn and remind our public na mag-ingat po. Especially, kung ang kapalit agad noon is magpapadala kayo ng pera with you not knowing kung sino ang mga ‘yun,” she said in a press conference in Camp Crame.

(We would like to take this opportunity to warn and remind the public to be cautious. Especially, if the immediate requirement is the sending of money without knowing the identity of the recipient.)

“Sa mga travel agencies, meron naman po, puwede po nilang alamin po iyan kung sino ang authorized na travel agency na talagang may authority para magbigay ng promos with respect sa vacation and travel packages,” she added.

(They can check if these supposed travel agencies have the authority to give promos with respect to vacation and travel packages.)

The number of reported vacation scams increased year after year from 39 cases in 2021, 91 in 2022, and 313 in 2023, according to the ACG. This year, there are already 35 reported cases.

“Vacation scam is an ICT-enabled crime where criminals impersonate legitimate establishments, offering online accommodation services at lower prices than usual. However, upon arrival, victims find their reservations nonexistent in the establishment’s system, revealing the scam,” the ACG said.

ACG chief Police Major General Sidney Hernia encouraged the public to conduct research, rely only on trusted websites for bookings, and refrain from providing personal or financial details online without verifying the legitimacy of the recipient. 

“By staying vigilant, you can protect yourself and enjoy a worry-free vacation experience,” he said. —KBK, GMA Integrated News