The Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) is conducting an investigation into a recent scam at hospitals, where individuals posing as doctors or nurses are reportedly extorting money from their victims.
In a press briefing on Monday, PNP Spokesperson and PRO-3 Regional Director PBGen. Jean Fajardo revealed that the PNP-ACG is currently monitoring 19 similar cases, including the most recent incident in which P70,000 was extorted from a patient at a hospital in Makati.
Fajardo further noted that the scammers' scheme involves offering discounts to patients through text messages. But before the discounts are given, they demand an advance payment through e-wallet services like GCash.
The PNP is currently investigating whether there is an inside job involved or if the hospitals themselves may also be held accountable in this case.
"At ang isa po sa tinitignan po nila sa possibility na maaaring may hikahos po doon po sa mga hospital, how come makikita at malalaman po itong mga contact numbers po ng mga relatives po ng mga naka-confine?" said Fajardo.
"So, isa po ‘yan sa mga pinag-aaralan po ng ACG at sa ngayon po [ay] hawak na nila ang mga ebidensya po that would help them confirm ‘yung mga identities," she added.
Meanwhile, the PNP reminds both hospital patients and the public to be wary of offers that seem too good to be true. They urge individuals to confirm legitimacy, particularly when money is requested without direct contact.
