The Philippine National Police (PNP) has alerted the public to a rising threat involving fake social media accounts impersonating law enforcement officials. These fraudulent accounts aim to deceive individuals into divulging sensitive information or sending money.
Recent reports revealed a counterfeit Facebook account using the name 'Jose Melencio Corpus' alongside a photo of PNP Chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. The PNP has clarified that this account is unauthorized and does not represent any official communication.
A Call to Action from PNP Leadership
This is a deliberate attempt to misuse my identity and exploit the public's trust in the Philippine National Police. We will not allow anyone to use the name of the PNP or its officials to deceive, intimidate, or take advantage of any of our kababayan.
Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., PNP Chief
In response to this impersonation, Nartatez has ordered the Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) to investigate the matter rigorously. He has also instructed the ACG to collaborate with Meta, Facebook's parent company, to ensure the swift removal of the fake account and preserve digital evidence.
- Do not accept friend requests from unverified accounts.
- Avoid engaging with suspicious accounts asking for money or personal details.
- Report any such accounts to Facebook and the PNP-ACG.
The PNP emphasizes the need for citizens to document any encounters with these fake accounts, including taking screenshots for evidence. The police will enhance monitoring efforts across all regions to combat these online scams effectively.