Whoscall, a global anti-scam application, has identified three primary channels used by investment scammers targeting Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).
Investment scams are among the most common types of scams, where people are deceived into investing their money.
OFWs are often prime targets, as scammers use social engineering techniques to exploit their vulnerability.
“They (scammers) may promise investment opportunities in stocks, bonds, commodities, currency, or even real estate to their victims,” said Gogolook Philippines Country Head Mel Migriño.
“These scams typically involve enticing victims with promises of high returns on investments, often using fake or misleading information to lure them (victims) in,” she added.
Whoscall, developed by Gogolook, a global leader in TrustTech, aims to protect individuals from online fraud and scams.
As a tool that protects its users against potential online scams, Whoscall has identified three key channels commonly used by scammers to target OFWs.
Messaging Apps
Messaging platforms are often used by scammers to directly communicate with potential victims. They commonly use unknown numbers, often obtained through illegal SIM card sales, to carry out their schemes.
“These scammers, like in other scam cases, exploit the vulnerabilities of OFWs by promising that they won’t need to work abroad if they invest,” said Ms. Migriño.
This strategy helps scammers build personal relationships and gain trust before presenting their fraudulent investment offers.
Social Media
As leading platforms in the digital age, social media has become a key channel for scammers targeting OFWs through investment scams.
Using fake accounts, scammers exploit platforms like Facebook and Instagram to promote fraudulent investment opportunities. They create groups or pages that build a false sense of community and urgency, pressuring OFWs to invest quickly without proper research.
“Because of its accessibility to OFWs, scammers nest on these platforms with convincing ads. Many OFWs are lured into clicking unverified links that lead them to fake investment platforms. Once they invest, the money is gone, and they become victims of these schemes,” Ms. Migriño explained.
While many platforms have entered the market, email remains one of the top tools’ scammers use to execute investment scams.
“One red flag for OFWs to watch out for is an offer that seems too good to be true, like a ‘no-risk’ investment. Scammers often use email to make their schemes appear more formal and convincing,” said Gogolook Philippines’ Country Head.
“Scammers also rely on email to reach OFWs, frequently sending unsolicited messages with promises of lucrative investment opportunities,” she added.
These emails often contain fake testimonials or exaggerated claims to entice recipients into investing.
How to avoid investment scams
One of the best ways OFWs can maintain cyber hygiene is by downloading anti-scam applications like the Whoscall App.
With the app’s URL Scanner feature, users are alerted if the websites they are about to engage with are safe or potentially fraudulent. Protection of personal data and community protection are key thrusts of the Whoscall anti scam application.
“With this, we can help protect our beloved modern heroes from falling victim to investment scams,” said Ms. Migriño.
She also urged OFWs to stay vigilant, especially during the holiday season when generosity is high due to tradition.
“To all Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), we urge you to stay alert against investment scams. Remember: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Always research and verify before investing your hard-earned money,” she advised.
Illegal use of AI
Ms. Migriño also highlighted the unethical use of artificial intelligence (AI) by scammers to profile potential victims online.
“AI is one of the most powerful tools humans can use to fight online scams,” she said, “but we must remember it’s a double-edged sword — it can be used for good or exploited for harm.”
She added, “With AI, scammers can quickly and easily profile potential victims online. This should remind us to always be mindful of online safety and think carefully about what personal information we share online.”
Spotlight is BusinessWorld’s sponsored section that allows advertisers to amplify their brand and connect with BusinessWorld’s audience by publishing their stories on the BusinessWorld Web site. For more information, send an email to online@bworldonline.com.
Join us on Viber at https://bit.ly/3hv6bLA to get more updates and subscribe to BusinessWorld’s titles and get exclusive content through www.bworld-x.com.
