LTO, PNP work to catch online scammers

MANILA, Philippines — Land Transportation Office chief Vigor Mendoza II will meet with the Philippine National Police (PNP) Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) to strengthen the LTO’s campaign against online scammers.

“We will enhance our partnership with the PNP-ACG to catch these scammers who are proliferating online,” Mendoza said yesterday.

He assured the public that the LTO will not stop until online scammers are “put behind bars.”

Mendoza’s warning came after the LTO-Bicol reminded the public to be vigilant against online scammers asking for large amounts of money supposedly in exchange for their assistance in claiming vehicle license plates.

“In some cases, the victim will just find out that the licenses provided by these scammers were fake. It noted that most of these scammers on Facebook were offering their illicit service through buy-and-sell groups,” the LTO-Bicol said.

Mendoza warned motorists who have yet to claim their license plates after he received reports that certain people are asking for a fee of P200 in exchange for a hassle-free claiming of license plates.

He said the distribution of license plates is free, adding that the distribution process has started in some areas in the country, particularly in the Bicol Region.

According to Mendoza, the LTO will come up with an appointment system for a systematic and orderly distribution of unclaimed license plates, including at malls that are being eyed as distribution sites.

He also urged LTO regional directors and heads of district offices to come up with the best ways to distribute the unclaimed license plates after he imposed a 60-day deadline.