Manila: The Philippine National Police (PNP) has launched an investigation into reported fraudulent solicitation for victims of Typhoon Tino using the Office of Civil Defense (OCD). “Upon receiving the advisory from the Office of Civil Defense, our units immediately coordinated with the agency to gather information about the suspect,” PNP acting chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement Sunday. “We are now tracing the digital footprint and communication channels used to solicit donations.”

According to Philippines News Agency, the OCD earlier issued an advisory warning the public about a certain Jennifer Santos who claims to be a staff member of Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV to solicit donations for those affected by Typhoon Tino in Cebu. Nartatez said he directed the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group to identify and locate the suspect. He said the PNP’s specialized units are now tracing digital communications, online accounts, and financial channels possibly linked to the scam in coordination with OCD and other concerned agencies.

“Kung mapatunayang may panlilinlang na naganap, mananagot sa batas ang mga sangkot. Fraud and identity theft are serious offenses lalo na kung ginagamit ang pangalan ng mga opisyal ng gobyerno at mga biktima ng kalamidad (If it is proven that fraud has occurred, those involved will be held responsible. Fraud and identity theft are serious offenses, especially when the names of government officials and disaster victims are used),” the PNP chief said.

The OCD said it does not request donations through officials and urged people to coordinate with OCD or the Department of Social Welfare and Development directly for donations. The PNP, meanwhile, urged the public to report any suspicious solicitation activities to the PNP-ACG or to the nearest police station.