NBI to probe phishing scam targeting teachers

MANILA, Philippines — Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra is set to instruct the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to look into reports of an alleged phishing scam that victimized teachers who have accounts with the Land Bank of the Philippines (Landbank).

“The NBI is already looking into phishing of bank accounts on a broader scale, but I am minded to issue a separate directive to the NBI in the case of the teacher victims,” Guevarra said yesterday, when he was expected to issue a department order.

The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition said it received reports that there are teachers who allegedly lost money from their Landbank accounts after transferring their money through online banking.

The teachers allegedly lost between P26,000 to P121,000.

The matter has been brought to the attention of Landbank and the teachers’ group would report the matter to the Department of Education (DepEd) central office.

DepEd Undersecretary Annalyn Sevilla said they received reports that the payroll accounts of three teachers in Metro Manila, Zambales and Cavite were hacked.

She said they have coordinated with Landbank for proper investigation of the incidents.

In a statement, Landbank said its systems remain secure.

“According to the initial investigation by Landbank, the devices of the teachers were hacked via phishing which compromised their personal information,” the firm said.

Recently, the NBI arrested five persons allegedly involved in the reported hacking of BDO accounts that affected more than 700 of the bank’s clients. – Romina Cabrera