By Marilou Talosig-Bartolome
By Marilou Talosig-Bartolome
Online scams perpetrated by “Valentino” predators are victimizing homesick and lonely Filipino domestic helpers in Hong Kong.
A Filipino community news site in Hong Kong, The Sun Hong Kong, has reported that at least two Filipino maids who were duped by as much as P200,000.
A 38-year-old married Filipina said she was initially attracted to a Facebook advertisement of a job offer in Discovery Bay with a monthly salary of HK$ 6,000 (P38,800). His employer, who introduced himself as Tommy and a Canadian expatriate, said he was looking for a nanny for his eight-year-old daughter.
After accepting the job offer, the Pinay maid was wooed by the Valentino employer by his daily messages via FB Messenger and even showing his face during video chats. He would project himself as a religious man and a devoted father—to the extent of being dramatic sometimes by crying during video calls.
As the maid falls in love with him, the conman slowly asked for money. First, he said, he needed HK$3,000 to pay for the visa of his daughter and asked if the maid could lend him. The maid had to use her salary for that month to be able to send the money to her supposed employer/ lover. Later, he started asking for more in trickles in a Hong Kong bank account, to a remittance center to a recipient in Benin and to a bitcoin account.
At one point, the fraudster even suggested that she pawn her passport. And she did so that she can send him HK $3,000.
Another OFW, also encountered the same modus who duped her HK$ 10,000 (P64,000). She entered into the same romantic relationship and then the fraudster would share his “vulnerabilities.” He said to send his daughter to Hong Kong and needs HK$3,000.
Philippine Consul General Raly Tejada confirmed there are OFWs in Hong Kong who reported to them that they were victimized by these online scammers.
He said the consulate provided them with counseling, but since the consulate cannot intervene in resolving criminal cases, they simply referred these maids to Hong Kong police cybercrime division to file formal complaints.
Tejada clarified though that the scammers are not targeting OFWs. Even Hong Kong locals were also victimized by these romance cybercrooks with millions of Hong Kong dollars.
“Pero mas masakit sa mga kababayan natin kasi kakarampot lang sweldo tapos natatangay pa,” he told the BusinessMirror.
The consul general said that these cybercriminals lurk on popular social- media sites and would profile those who like or comment to “lay the bait.”
“Sa 1,000 na susubukan ng sindikato, I’m sure may sasagot dyan, di ba? Di nila alam yung kausap pala nila na akala ay isang Prince Charming ay actually miyembro ng isang criminal syndicate. May mga kababayan kasi tayo na minsan madali magtiwala at mahulog ang loob. Ang lagi kong sinasabi—sige OK lang naman makipag chat pero pag humingi na ng pera ibang usapan na. Mag-ingat na,” Tejada said.