THE Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit-Davao Region (RACU-Davao) is intensifying its campaign against 'romance scams,' especially during February.
Police Lt. Col. John Carl Lozada, chief of the Operation and Digital Forensic Section of RACU-Davao, revealed that the romance scam is a modus operandi used by scammers to lure victims into falling in love with them through social media, dating apps, and other messaging platforms. Once the victim falls in love, the scammer then asks for money and personal information, which they use to further deceive the victim.
“Ito ay isang panloloko na ginagamit ng mga scammer sa mga social media, sa mga dating app, sa mga messaging platform para mapa-ibig para makuha ang tiwala ng ating biktima (This is a scam used by scammers on social media, dating apps, and messaging platforms to make someone fall in love and gain the victim's trust),” Lozada said in a radio interview on GMA Super Radyo Davao on Saturday, February 1, 2025.
Lozada added that every February, they expect the number of romance scams to increase as many individuals are looking for a date for Valentine’s Day, February 14. He said that in 2024, their office recorded two cases of romance scams, and several charges were filed against the suspects.
Some of the cases that a suspect involved in a romance scam may face include estafa. If the suspect and the victim are already in a relationship, the suspect may also face charges for violating Republic Act (RA) 9262 also known as the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004, as well as RA 9995 otherwise known as Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act of 2009 when sexual images or videos are exchanged between the suspect and the victim.
The official then advised the public not to easily trust strangers who send sweet messages, especially during this love month, to avoid falling victim to romance scams. He also urged victims to report immediately to the authorities.
To recall, a senior citizen from Davao lost thousands of pesos to a chatmate who introduced himself as a foreigner. The victim initially did not believe the promises of her chatmate but eventually fell for his charm. The suspect may face charges for violating the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. RGP
