BACOLOD CITY — Mayor Greg Gasataya has directed law enforcement authorities to take swift action following an impersonation scam that targeted a working student and a local business owner at a convenience store along Rizal Street here recently.
“I will not tolerate criminals exploiting my identity, especially to prey on local businesses and honest workers,” Gasataya said as he requested an immediate investigation by the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) and a crackdown to bring the scammers to justice.
According to the victims, whom Gasataya met Monday, an unidentified person allegedly posed as the mayor and reportedly booked two rooms at a nearby hotel, claiming they were for arriving official guests and uniformed personnel.
The caller then asked to speak with the hotel’s security guard and requested assistance in locating an e-wallet facility, claiming his personal bank accounts were temporarily unavailable.
The guard referred the caller to an ECPay terminal at the convenience store.
The suspect then spoke with the store’s duty cashier — a working student who had been employed for only two weeks — and ordered food for his supposed guests.
He then demanded that the cashier transfer funds directly to his account, promising immediate reimbursement upon arrival.
Under pressure, the victim processed two e-wallet transactions totaling PHP 9,900.
The victims said the caller’s voice sounded exactly like the mayor’s, raising concerns about the possible use of artificial intelligence voice-cloning technology.
Gasataya condemned the fraud and ordered Police Col. Eugene Rebadomia, BCPO director, to launch a full investigation and apprehend those responsible.
This was not the first reported incident, as a similar scam occurred Sept. 15, 2025, when a caller impersonated the mayor to order food from a local seafood restaurant and solicit funds through an e-wallet.
The city government is also coordinating with the National Telecommunications Commission and financial service providers to trace the mobile number and account used in the scheme.
It advised the public to verify all requests for money transfers purportedly coming from the Mayor’s Office.
Anyone who encounters such calls or messages is encouraged to report them immediately to the BCPO or the City Mayor’s Office. (Glazyl M. Jopson via tdg photo by tdg)