A bogus GMA Charity Foundation is all set to victimized overseas Filipino workers. Overseas Filipino workers are warned by the Department of Foreign Affairs about a bogus institution named “GMA Charity Foundation” that swindles money from OFWs.

The group’s modus operandi is sending text messages to their victim telling them that they won a prize through an online lottery .

According to Philippine consul general to Hong Kong Alejandrino Vicente, he received a complaint from a female OFW who became victim of the bogus institution. The swindlers pose as the officers of the foundation.

The OFW said that she received the text message on the 14^th of February, telling her that she just won P3 million in the first anniversary of the GMA Charity Foundation. She was asked to call a certain Atty. Alfred D. Macapagal at mobile number 0919-8539395 to know the details on how she can claim her “prize.”

As precondition to claim her prize, she have to pay the taxes and other fees, so, she was instructed to deposit P55,000 in a Western Union account in the Philippines in the name of Joel Nadera Chavez.

To get instruction on how she can claim her P3 million prize, she has to call an alleged branch manager of Western Union in Pasay City named Atty. Antonio Uy at mobile number 0919-3234278.

The OFW complained to Consul General Vicente that she could no longer contact the swindlers after she has deposited the amount to claim her prize.

On the other hand, Philippine Ambassador to the Hague, the Netherlands Romeo Arguelles also advised the Filipinos in the Netherlands to disregard text messages or emails that they received telling them that try won thousands of Euro.

Saxo Financial Online Bank and Globalum Lottery Promotions are the two fictitious accounts that OFWs should avoid according to Arguelles.

The DFA frequently advised OFWs to ignore text messages or e-mails they’ve received informing them that they have won money in an electronic raffle draw, in which they knew it themselves that they have not participated or even submitted an entry form. These are just people who want to swindle money from them.

Added to that, swindlers mostly targets OFWs, because they are vulnerable to these scams and they want to earn money so as not to work away from their family.