Alcover wants explanation on unabated text scams

CEBU, Philippines —  The unabated text messaging scheme despite the recent implementation of the SIM Regulation Act has prompted the Cebu City Council to invite the officials of National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)-7, Cybercrime Group of Region 7, and concerned civic groups to an executive session.

Councilor Pastor Alcover wants the concerned agencies to shed light on the rampant text scams particularly on banking statements. Alcover, who experienced firsthand the scam, delivered a privilege speech on the issue last Wednesday.

He began his speech by saying that it is almost every week that he would receive text messages that are “suspicious and malicious in nature”.

Recently, Alcover said he received a message informing him the details of his certain bank account. During his privilege speech, he showed the text message stating that a certain bank has restricted his account.

The councilor said the text message was clearly a scam because he does not have an account from the said bank.

According to him, the messages he received were very suspicious considering that these came from unregistered numbers. Alcover wants the NTC and other stakeholders to shed light the City Council why the scheme has continued even with the implementation of Republic Act 11934 or the SIM Registration Act.

Section 2 of the said law states that, “The state shall promote responsibility in the use of subscriber identity module or similar, and provide law enforcement agencies the tools to resolve crimes which involve its utilization and a platform to deter the commission of wrongdoings.”

“Usa sa tumong aning balaora para masulbad ang krimen na dunay kalabotan sa pag gamit og sim… pero sa akong nabantayan, usa na ka tuig ang pag implementar aning pag rehistro sa sim cards pero wa man gihapon  nahunong ang mga text scams,” said Alcover.

He then questioned the purpose of the SIM registration emphasizing its absence to deter text scammers.

“Unsay may gibuhat sa atong kapulisan? Aduna bay nabuhat atong NTC ani?,” he said.

Alcover moved that the NTC officials, NBI, and the Cybercrime Group in the region should be invited before the City Council. The motion was approved en masse.  FPL (FREEMAN)