Cops probing scam involving Batangas court’s e-mail account

MANILA, Philippines — Police are investigating a scheme that uses the e-mail account of the Batangas Regional Trial Court (RTC) to dupe people online.

Officials of the Lipa City Hall of Justice sought the help of the police after several people received fraudulent e-mails purportedly sent by the Batangas RTC.

The fake e-mails contained imitated legal documents, including specific references to laws, court case numbers and even names of judges.

The author of the e-mails, who police said goes by the name Dominador Masangkay, informs recipients about unresolved criminal or civil cases supposedly involving them.

Reports said the author would demand money from the recipients in exchange for the immediate resolution of their cases.

The suspect directs the recipients to send the money to a digital payment platform account number that he provided.