Watchdog: More ‘task scams’ emerging on online messaging apps

Fewer Filipinos experience text scams, but more “task scams” are emerging on online messaging platforms, according to an internet security watchdog.

MANILA, Philippines — Fewer Filipinos experience text scams, but more “task scams” are emerging on online messaging platforms.

This was according to observations by internet security watchdog Scam Watch Pilipinas at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum on Wednesday.

“Text scams decreased. We don’t receive as many text scams from unknown prepaid numbers. They moved to Viber. They make a call now,” Scam Watch Pilipinas founder Jocel De Guzman said in Filipino.

De Guzman did not provide specific data on the number of text scams and task scams monitored by their group.

“If you go to Viber, to messaging apps, there are faces there and names, so they’re not unknown, and they also don’t use links. What they’ll do is task scams,” he added.

READ: PNP-ACG: Most online scammers now are Filipinos who ‘learned’ from Pogos

According to the founder of Scam Watch Pilipinas, the scammers introduce themselves as employees of e-commerce websites offering money for “tasks.”

“You can earn up to P600 from it at first. They’ll give you P120, P180, and they’ll create an e-wallet. ‘Here’s your earnings, but before you can get them, you have to finish these tasks. Then, here, you need to pay,’” De Guzman explained.