09 Sep 2024
While the surge of migration has given rise to a new generation of Filipinos in Ireland who go online for all kinds of things, including communicating with family and friends and managing their money, the former has also become a target for many Internet frauds. These scams cost you money, your privacy, and your sanity if you are on the receiving end. Knowledge of these threats is essential in the quest to guard against them, and this might prove helpful when you need to send money to Philippines from Ireland.
The Irish Banking & Payments Federation (IBPF) has reported a 40% increase in attempted fraud in the first half of 2023; the most common types were phishing and investment fraud. Additionally, according to the Central Bank of Ireland, a total sum of € 21,777,408 was confirmed to have been fraudulently taken from people online through different manners in 2022, and a large number of the cases had something to do with cross-border transactions, including money transfers from Ireland to the Philippines and the like.
Eurostat’s Global Adults’ IT Security Survey in 2022 revealed that 36% of Filipinos in Ireland reported experiencing an online scam, and 18% have become victims. Such figures call for attention and careful behavior while using the internet so as not to become a victim of a fraudster.
Here are the top 5 online frauds for Filipino expats in Ireland:
The research shows that phishing scams are still rife worldwide, and it is not shocking to find victims of such scams among Filipinos living and working in Ireland. In these scams, fraudsters emulate genuine organizations, typically through emails, social platforms, or fake websites where a target is prompted to enter his or her password, credit card number, or account number.
Usually, such e-mail comes from a recognized organization, such as a bank or online money transfer agency. The email may state that your account has been under threat and require you to click on a link to confirm your details. The link directs you to the proper copy of the actual website, and in the process, you are lured into providing personal details. After this, the scammer takes this data for their scams.
In the modern world, with new opportunities for carrying out trade via the Internet and creating cryptocurrencies, investment fraud schemes are becoming more diverse. Such scams prey on Filipinos in Ireland, primarily looking for better and more significant opportunities to improve their bank balances. They involve glamorous offers of very high returns and are generally accompanied by persuasive speeches and/or testimonials from non-existent personalities.
The scam could begin with an advertisement on the social platform or a direct message from an individual who claims to be a financial expert. They present the chance to purchase stakes in stocks, forex, or even cryptocurrency and be sure to get profits. Once you have parted with your money, either by opening an account in the bank or through a money transfer from Ireland to Philippines, the scammer vanishes, stealing most of your money.
Finally, online dating scams exploit people’s need for companionship, making those living in the diaspora incredibly lonely and susceptible to tricksters. Cybercriminals mainly operate under the disguise of establishing intimacy with their victims via dating sites or social networks. After that, they cheat and can build trust, claiming that an emergency has arisen and they need money.
The scammer can also feign familiarity by asking you to trust him/her since he/she is a fellow Filipino, for example, or someone who has lived here and understands your circumstances. They spend a lot of time around you and then will start giving you tokens of affection, helping you penetrate through their web. When they have gained your trust, they create drama; they either have a sick relative, hospital bills, or an opportunity they want to explore. They may request an instant money transfer to the Philippines from Ireland, usually through a money transfer. Once the money is transferred, the scammer may never be heard from again or just return requesting more money.
Some of the most common scams include job offer scams because they target the hopes and dreams of Filipinos in Ireland looking for better job opportunities. Cybercriminals use social media platforms and genuine and legal employment websites to post fake employment opportunities that appear to be highly paid jobs in other countries or Ireland. They always demand an initial fee for visa processing, training, or membership.
This is more likely to happen if you stumble upon an e-mail or an advertisement for a job with your exact profile. You receive a call or an email from the scammer claiming to be an employer or a recruiter, who then requests a fee to offer you a position. Such a payment can be made via a money transfer from Ireland to the Philippines or as cash or check payment. Once the amount is paid, the job offer post disappears, and the fraudster is unreachable.
Refrain from believing those jobs ask you to send money before you can get the job.
Being in the charity domain, these people use the internet to take advantage of a calamity such as the current coronavirus outbreak and the launch of fake charity events. The Filipino people in Ireland are highly communal and friendly and are willing to assist when asked; such individuals can be easily swindled into scams, particularly those that involve remitting money to the Philippines.
Fraudsters create fake charity websites or social media accounts and demand funds for disasters, medical emergencies, or other charitable purposes. It can elicit a soft-hearted feeling to induce the giver to part with his or her cash. The primary objective of these scams is to request donations through online money transfers from Ireland to the Philippines. When the donation is tendered, the funds go straight into the scammer’s pocket, and nobody in need benefits.
For Filipinos living in Ireland, being aware of internet fraud is crucial in an increasingly digital environment. Your greatest lines of defense are awareness and prudence, whether you're going to send money to Philippines online from Ireland or doing other online transactions. It is possible to safeguard yourself and your hard-earned money by being aware of con artists' strategies and taking preventative action. Use reputable and safe platforms to transfer money from Ireland to the Philippines. The growth of online money transfer services has sped up and simplified the process of sending money, but it has also opened up new avenues for fraudsters to operate.
Phishing is the deceptive practice of posing as a reliable source in an electronic conversation to steal sensitive data, including usernames, passwords, and credit card numbers.
Phishers frequently entice victims to provide personal information by sending them emails, texts, or phony websites.
When making purchases, do your homework on internet merchants, use safe payment options, and avoid offers that look too good to be true.
Contact your bank or credit card provider immediately to report the fraudulent transaction and alert the appropriate authorities to the scam.
Use strong, one-of-a-kind passwords for your online accounts, be wary of unsolicited emails and texts, and confirm the sender's identity before clicking links or downloading files.
