Baguio warns students, tourists to beware of boarding house scammers

Baguio City, Philippines – Baguio Local Government Unit released a warning to tourists and students looking for boarding or lodging houses in the city to make sure that they are transacting with the real owners or owner-authorized agents of accommodations establishment to avoid getting scammed online.

A report of Regional News Group-Luzon earlier said an alleged transient house owner in Baguio city was caught after one of his five victims sent a complaint to the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit-Cordillera (RACU-CAR).

RACU-Cordillera relayed the scammer pretended to be an agent or a co-owner of an accommodation establishment (AEs) copying downloaded photos and information from the original source.

The suspect used Facebook as a means to lure victims looking for a transient or boarding house around the city.

When a victim contacts the suspect and selects a room, RACU-CAR said, the suspect asks for a reservation fee or down payment through Gcash and then immediately blocks the victim’s social media account after getting the money.

RNG-Luzon disclosed the suspect faces a criminal violation of RA 10175 or the cybercrime prevention act of 2012.

Verify first before dealing with boarding, lodging house owners

RACU-Cordillera reminds the public to make verifications before transacting with owners of accommodation establishments being shown online.

“I-sure niyo na hangga't maaari na yung mga totoo o legitimate na mga transient house or boarding house owners. Puwede naman po nating i-check yung mga authorized, like yung mga may totoong business permit sa city natin and yung mga page ay hindi masyadong klaro kasi kung totoo ba na page nila yun o hindi,” said PMAJ Annie Carmel Comising, Assistant Chief of RACU-Cordillera.

In addition, the city government appealed to tourists and students to negotiate ONLY with accommodation establishments listed under visita.baguio.gov.ph.

The Permits and Licensing Division can help with the verification of the registered owner/s just call their PLD numbers 619-3184.

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