Nelson Morales

DOJ warns vs love scam after TV anchor's identity used in online scheme

Department of Justice. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Adrian Ayalin

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Television and radio anchor Migs Bustos has asked the Department of Justice to look into “love scams” which use artificial intelligence or AI technologies to lure victims into sending money online.Bustos, who hosts programs on ABS-CBN, ABS-CBN News Channel and Teleradyo Serbisyo, submitted to the DOJ photocopies of screenshots of online scamming activities which used his photos and identity.Bustos said he received an email from an alleged victim in Orlando, Florida who supposedly had an online relationship with someone claiming to be him.The victim supposedly suffered a loss of $200,000.“Napansin ko lately is through love scam, aakitin nila, magbi-build sila ng trust through social, messaging app tapos doon sila magbi-build ng trust tapos eventually sasabihin nila meron silang ipapa-deliver ba or whatever tapos hihingi sila ng pera tas hindi naman usually bultuhan, usually in tranches tapos saka nila malalaman ay fake pala yong kausap nila,” Bustos said.According to Bustos, what has alarmed him more is the use not just of his face but of his family and friends as well.“It has been very alarming already, they used my face, my wife’s face, my family’s images even yong mga friends ko in my circle parang it’s about time to do something about it,” Bustos said.DOJ Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano said the concerns of Bustos would be referred to the Office of Cybercrime which could in turn refer it to the National Bureau of Investigation or the Philippine National Police for further investigation.Clavano encouraged other victims to report other online scamming activities especially during this Christmas season.“Dahil ngayon maraming tao ay nakatutok sa kanilang cellphone lalo na Pasko na tayo bilang Pilipino avid users tayo ng social media kaya very vulnerable po talaga ang mga Pilipino dito sa mga ganitong scams and Migs Bustos is one of the victims. But there are so many out there who don’t have big enough voice para ilabas iyong mga ano nila so we encourage everybody to head to the Office on Cybercrime of the DOJ para i-report ang mga nasa-scam,” Clavano said.Clavano also asked the public to be more circumspect in dealing with strangers who are possible online scammers.“Number 1 to make sure kung that sino man ang kausap mo, siya talaga iyon. Be very careful of AI videos. There are certain methods that you can search online to tell kung deep fake ba talaga iyon kung AI ang ginagamit, so siguro ang pinaka-advise always, be cautious, always doubt, always be curious kung sino talaga ang kausap mo,&quot; he said.

Television and radio anchor Migs Bustos has asked the Department of Justice to look into “love scams” which use Artificial Intelligence or AI technologies to lure victims into sending money online.

Television and radio anchor Migs Bustos has asked the Department of Justice to look into “love scams” which use Artificial Intelligence or AI technologies to lure victims into sending money online.