Skip to main content

PNP-GCash entrapment leads to the arrest of fake non-uniformed personnel

In its continued commitment to protect Filipinos from fraudsters and scammers, the Philippine National Police (PNP) Quezon City District Anti-Cybercrime Team (QCDACT), in cooperation with the country's leading mobile wallet GCash, successfully arrested a fake police officer while soliciting financial assistance for their "team building" activities. The suspect, who used the name "Arnold Santos," was arrested while attempting to withdraw the money through a GCash remittance outlet.

The suspect was identified as Allan Roque Castillano, Jr.,47, a former vendor inside the PNP's Camp Bagong Diwa, and a resident of Gapan, Nueva Ecija, and his accomplice Editha de Jesus Candelaria, 48, a resident of San Fernando, Pampanga, was taken into custody. Before the entrapment operation, a police officer received an SMS from Castillano (a.k.a. Santos), who introduced himself as a Non-Uniformed Personnel of the Office of the Regional Diretor PNP-NCRPO and asked for donations for their team building. Castillano was subsequently arrested with the assistance of GCash.

As the largest mobile wallet in the country, GCash plays its part in protecting its users against scammers and fraudsters through its close coordination with the authorities. With a user base of 79 million, representing 83% of Filipinos, GCash has been proactive in combating cybercrime by collaborating with various law enforcement units, including the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the anti-cybercrime units of the PNP. Through this partnership, GCash aims to create a safe online environment for all users.

"As our user base grows, we consider it our responsibility to ensure the safety of everyone," says GCash president and CEO Martha Sazon.

GCash continues to urge its users to exercise extra caution when transacting on the platform, never revealing their MPIN or OTP, and refraining from clicking on links that lead to external websites or senders they are unfamiliar with. For help and assistance, users can contact the PNP-ACG via their hotlines at (02) 8414-1560 or 0998-598-8116, or via email at acg@pnp.gov.ph.

To report scams and fraudulent activities, users can visit the official GCash Help Center at help.gcash.com or message Gigi on the website and type "I want to report a scam." GCash will never send private messages to ask for personal information, especially the MPIN and One-Time Pin (OTP). Customers can also contact the official GCash hotline at 2882 for queries and other concerns.

For more information, visit www.gcash.com.ph.

Comments

Check out more...

The Little Mermaid’ makes a splash onto the screens of SM Cinemas

The much-awaited live-action reimagination of Disney’s classic, ‘The Little Mermaid,’ is currently showing at SM Cinemas nationwide.  Dive into a world of underwater adventure, finding love, and realizing dreams with Ariel, portrayed by American singer-songwriter, Halle Bailey. Swim with the young mermaid as she trades her voice for legs so she can discover the world above water. At SM Cinemas, movie screens are equipped with cutting-edge technology that offers the highest quality of pictures and sounds. Be a part of Ariel’s world through the SM IMAX experience of crystal-clear scenes, with a wider view of life under the sea. Watch films on a state-of-the-art screen that is twice the size of a regular cinema where one can feel the crashing waves through a cinematic surround sound system. The comfort and convenience of moviegoers have always been a top priority. The plush seating, spacious theaters, and efficient ticketing systems ensure that the movie-watching experience is hassle-free

Enjoy an all-in-one Unli Internet plan at home with PLDT Home

What  better way to  enjoy everything at home  with a broadband plan that  gives   you an  all-in-one unlimited  access to  the  internet,  Pay  TV, and  mobile services .    The new  PLDT Home  Fiber  Unli  All plan  offer s  the best value for money  with a bundled package that comes with unlimited fiber internet,  unlimited entertainment content from Cignal TV, and unlimited calls to PLDT, Smar t a nd TNT.    Here’s a quick breakdown of the new Fiber  Unli  All plans available and their internet speeds: Whether you   want to stream your favorite videos, TV series, and movies ,  the  new Fiber  Unli  All plans deliver what  the whole family wants  with the fast broadband internet and a wide range of  entertainment  options on premium  Pay  TV.  With the Philippines’ largest  Pay  TV provider   Cignal ,  the new Fiber  Unli All plans also give families a wide selection of high-definition channels and content ranging from sports, kids, and documentaries.   The Fiber Unli All plans are

5 moments that made the 2022-23 NBA Season epic

Rewatch the season that was – and more – with NBA League Pass powered by PLDT Home!   The 2022-23 NBA season has been nothing short of epic. From the league’s best players cementing their legacies to teams achieving historic feats, the NBA has provided some of the best storylines throughout the year – all of which Filipino fans can revisit through NBA League Pass powered by PLDT Home. As the season culminated with the Denver Nuggets dominating over Miami Heat, 4-1, here’s a look back at some of its best moments: 1.  Big trades shock the league An NBA season isn’t complete without teams making huge moves before and at the league’s trade deadline. The Dallas Mavericks made the first big move, trading Spencer Dinwiddie and Dorian Finney-Smith to the Brooklyn Nets for Kyrie Irving, adding another superstar to their team to back up Slovenian superstar Luka Doncic.   However, the biggest trade was completed during the deadline, when the Phoenix Suns landed Kevin Durant in a massive four-team

Enjoy up to 29% OFF on select realme smartphones this 6.6. TikTok Birthday Sale

Don’t miss out on BIG discounts as realme celebrates TikTok 6.6 Birthday Sale! It’s finally TikTok’s 6.6 Birthday Sale and realme Philippines goes all-in to celebrate with whopping discount offerings from June 1-8 only.  Mark your calendars and get up to 29% OFF on select realme  smartphones and up to 40%  on select realme AIoT products. On top of this, the Squad is also in for a treat since they can take home exciting freebies all-week long!  From June 1-8, every purchase of the real me  C35 (4GB+128GB)  comes with a FREE TechLife Buds Classic, while anybody who will avail the  realme C33 (4GB+64GB)  will get a C-Series Tempered Glass as a freebie. To make things even more thrilling, the first few customers to buy a realme 10 Pro+ 5G (12GB+256GB) from  June 4-8  will get their very own realme Watch 3 for FREE . Additionally, everyone will also get a FREE TechLife Power Bank 100000mAh for each purchase of realme 10 (8GB+128GB), realme 10 (8GB+256GB), realme 10 Pro 5G (8GB+256GB), and r

#Gcash users can now go cashless on their next Euro trip thanks to Alipay+ partnership

GCash users can now opt for a hassle-free, cashless payment method on their next Euro trip as the Philippines’ leading mobile wallet is now accepted in Europe’s top travel destinations, including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Italy. This cross-border payment service is part of the e-wallet’s strengthened collaboration and partnership with Alipay+ to offer a seamless and secure payment experience, as well as real-time foreign exchange (forex) with no service fee, allowing customers to a hassle-free and rewarding travel experience abroad. Among the key merchants and stores that can accept GCash via Alipay+ are Harrods, Liberty London, and Harvey Nichols in the UK; Printemps in France; Müller and dm-drogerie markt in Germany; as well as itTaxi, and IVS Group, the leader in the vending machines market, in Italy. “In line with our fervent commitment to make our customers’ everyday lives better and more convenient, we want to make sure that they can maximize their GCash account no