Impersonation scam: PH First Lady warns vs. people pretending to be her to solicit money

Philippine First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos has issued a caution to the public regarding scammers impersonating her to solicit money.

She urged everyone to remain alert and report any suspicious messages or requests immediately to the proper authorities.

The First Lady said several text messages currently circulating in her name are fraudulent.

She said she received reports from individuals seeking to confirm the authenticity of these messages and she has posted a statement regarding this matter on Facebook asking the public to disregard any suspicious communication claiming to be from her.

“To be clear: these messages are not from me,” she said.

The First Lady said some individuals have been impersonating her identity in an attempt to deceive people into sending money.

“There are individuals impersonating others and attempting to solicit money through deception,” she said.

She posted screenshots showing unauthorized messages sent from accounts using her name and profile photo. These messages have been sent to various individuals, including government officials.

The reported messages include urgent or confidential requests, such as asking recipients to coordinate with the media, requesting assistance, or hinting at financial transactions.

One sender reportedly asked for the contact details of other officials.

The First Lady's post also identified phone numbers linked to the scheme, which she clarified do not belong to her.

She urged the public to avoid interacting with such messages.

“Do not engage. Do not share any personal information. Do not send money,” she said.

She stressed that any communication claiming to be from her should be verified through official channels before taking action.

The First Lady emphasized that any communication claiming to be from her must be verified through official channels before taking any action.

She also encourages victims and recipients of suspicious messages to report these incidents to the authorities. Specifically, reports should be directed to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Cybercrime Division.

“Let’s not give space to those who exploit trust and spread fake news,” she said.

Marcos expressed appreciation to those who reported the incidents and called on the public to remain vigilant.

-Paraluman News