Introduction

In a chilling tale straight out of a dramatic thriller, a seasoned Singaporean actor found himself ensnared in an elaborate online scam that cost him a staggering S$35,000 (approximately 1.5 million pesos). Mr. Laurence Pang, 78, a recognized face from popular Singaporean television shows like *Tanglin* and *Sunny Side Up*, became an unsuspecting target of a woman he met on the dating platform PinaLove, which has been dubbed a haven for international men seeking Filipina partners.

The Distressing Experience

During an eye-opening episode of the immensely popular Filipino program *Raffy Tulfo In Action*, aired on January 17, Mr. Pang recounted his distressing experience to host Raffy Tulfo. The format of the show typically involves mediating disputes for aggrieved citizens, and it has gained traction among viewers for its direct approach to addressing grievances.

The Online Deception

Mr. Pang started communicating with a woman named "Mika" whom he believed to be genuine. Their interactions began innocently enough, with Mika expressing interest in Mr. Pang, ultimately leading to a dangerous proposition. She convinced him to invest thousands of dollars as a reseller for an online business, promising lucrative returns. What unfolded next was a classic case of online deception, wherein Mr. Pang unknowingly entered into a fake online marketplace modeled after Japan's popular Rakuten.

Reflecting on his vulnerability, Mr. Pang admitted, “Being an old man, you know, when a young lady tells you, ‘I like you,’ (you’d believe her). That was stupid.” Unfortunately for him, his initial excitement over the prospect of reselling products quickly dissipated when suspiciously fast transactions occurred, trapping him in a scheme designed to prevent any withdrawals until new orders continually flooded in.

The Unraveling of the Scam

Describing his gut feeling that the customers he was dealing with were fictitious, Mr. Pang attempted to take control by removing the products from his store. However, it seemed the scammers had anticipated this, as the products were re-listed without his consent and fresh orders kept pouring in, ensnaring him further into the scam.

The Shocking Discovery

In a dramatic twist, Mr. Pang managed to video chat with Mika, only to discover that her images had been drastically altered, revealing the deceptive nature of her online persona. This revelation led him to realize that he had become another statistic in a much larger web of cybercrime plaguing the online dating scene.

Ongoing Investigation

The Philippine National Police's Anti-Cybercrime Group is now actively investigating the case, acknowledging this modus operandi as common among cybercriminals who prey on lonely, wealthy individuals. Scammers typically pose as romantic interests to gain trust before coaxing victims into financial investments in non-existent ventures.

Taking Action

Mr. Pang has since traveled to Manila to confront his scammer and has sought assistance from both Mr. Tulfo's crew and local authorities. On January 20, he submitted vital documents intending to procure a cyber warrant that may unveil the true identity of "Mika" by tracing financial transactions linked to her.

Conclusion

This cautionary tale serves as a stark reminder of the dangers lurking in the digital realm. As Lieutenant Wallen Mae Arancillo from the Philippine police emphasized, "We want to remind the public not to easily trust people they just met online. You don’t know these people, and they can use dummy accounts to ensnare you in investment scams." Stay vigilant and remember: not every love story begins with a match made online!