Beware: scammers are now on Facebook.

Administrator Rebecca J. Calzado of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) warned that a scam group is preying on overseas Filipinos, specially those based in Hong Kong.

Calzado said the group, which is maintaining the Facebook page OWWA Loan, asks OFWs to pay a certain amount in exchange of an availment of loan from the agency. The Facebook page even uses the OWWA agency logo as profile picture.

Labor Attaché Nenita Garcia of POLO-Hong Kong SAR, said they received calls from Filipinos in the former British colony inquiring about the availment of OWWA loans.

Garcia said the supposed lenders require an applicant to deposit HK$1,000 before a loan could be released.

Similar report have been received from Labor Attaché Vivian Tornea of POLO-Macau, Calzado said.

Calzado said that OWWA has reported the fake account to Facebook.

“OWWA is reminding all OFWs and the public to be vigilant of scams used by swindlers to deceive people nor to give any information, especially if financial in nature, to unidentified persons. Furthermore, OWWA is advising everyone to transact only with OWWA offices to prevent being victimized by scams,” Calzado said.

To report suspicious information or transactions, contact OWWA’s 24/7 Operation Center with the following contact details:

Hotline: (+632) 551-1560 or (+632) 551-6641
Text: (0917) TxtOWWA or 0917-898-6992
Fax Number: 891-7601 to 24 or (+632) 804-0638
E-mail: owwa_opcenter247@yahoo.com