Fraud in the Philippines: Text Message

SMS fraud or text scam is a scheme known to the vulnerable Filipinos. It is known to offer

job with high paying salary. Since the pandemic started, 4.25 million individuals lose their jobs

and find these kinds of offers, very enticing (PSA, 2021). Some people call it “budol” in which in

some cases victims is offered high returns in exchange for cash. A text message sent

specifically to my phone number stated “Dear, I'm the hiring manager. You have been selected

as an aART/full-time employee. You can work from home. Daily salary: 8000 pesos. Accepting

jobs Telegram: @TG3218.” This text message is an example of fraud cause a concern to the

Malacañang last November 23, 2021 for both the government and the public since it is considered

a violation of privacy.

The given text message sent to me has a tone of encouraging and enticing. In which, in

order for the person behind this fraud to scam me, they have to encourage me to know the details

regarding the job offer and bait me the high paying salary. Also, it is enticing because you only

work from home by being a manager, full-time employee, and will have daily salary amounting

8,000 pesos. Without applying, passing a resume, and doing an interview, you are easily hired. As

many people say “it is too good to be true.” Filipinos fall for this kind of fraudulent or scam

messages because it is easy and beneficial for them. Easy, by not applying for the job and do the

other requirements like interview and medical examination of the company. Beneficial, by having a

daily salary that is high paying and you will only manage. Text-based messages are powerful.

Because the person behind it will not be easily track and many Filipinos have low educational

attainment and can easily be scammed.

In conclusion, this kind of fraudulent or text scam is harmful to the society. Many people get

easily enticed and encouraged. They fall for this kind of scam because it is less hassle and have

high paying job. Mostly, low educational attained Filipinos are the one who are scammed. They do

this by baiting them that they are hired and the salary is high.
Sources:

Baclig, C. (2021) Cyber criminals run rampant via SMS, prey on Filipinos in need of jobs. https://

newsinfo.inquirer.net/1520290/cyber-criminals-run-rampant-via-sms-prey-on-filipinos-in-

need-of-jobs?fbclid=IwAR201Isry6dd5to6oisIwh4X3UDL3MXb1CBBi92fGjzol-m-

MDTBXdbovaw

Mercado, N. (2021) PSA: Number of unemployed Filipinos rises to 4.25M in Sept. 2021. https://

newsinfo.inquirer.net/1510292/fwd-psa-unemployed-filipinos-rises-to-4-25-million-in-

september-2021?fbclid=IwAR0WpXFNGrQNexpE773WrPM1Rtcua65QwMstHoa27o

B1AUKLX1a23GOhNbE

Reyes, R. (2021) Where did SMS scammers get our numbers? https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/24/

where-did-sms-scammers-get-out-numbers/?fbclid=IwAR0AWc6J8Le4jKj1lhEf55nu

NV79ggMnrgqzE933bPQOMrhqRmsmY6kBlH4