Col. Acosta SCAM

Here’s another scam story we have encountered. This was originally posted in (my) Facebook account dated May 16, 2016. It’s been two years but who knows, they might still be scouting for possible victims up to now. Better safe than sorry.

So I just received a call from a certain Colonel Hernani Acosta from Camp Aguinaldo daw, looking for my husband. At first I thought may kaso ba sya o may nagreklamo. To make it short, the purpose of the call was to ask for assistance sa ginagawa nilang ‘Balik Eskwela’. Tumutulong daw sila sa mga anak ng sundalo and asking for financial help para sa mga school supplies, and the likes for these beneficiaries. I asked how did they get our landline number or kung meron bang na-fill-outan, email, or pinirmahan ung asawa ko. He said that they have volunteers na nagreresearch sa mga barangay. Ang ending, I insisted to talk to my husband first before making any commitment sa kanila. Sinabi nya pa “ahh hindi po ba bukal sa inyo?” medyo nainis, sabi ko hindi naman sa ganon but I’ll have to talk to him first. Besides, sya ung hinahanap hindi naman ako.

Ps. He mentioned that they have an event sa Great Eastern Hotel and they are inviting us to see kung ano daw ang ginagawa nila and kung sino ung mga tinutulungan nila. Sinabi niya din na magpapadala siya ng tao para dalhin ung letter, for formality sake. Para daw hindi ako magdoubt.

Upon hearing the name “COLONEL HERNANI ACOSTA from CAMP AGUINALDO” kinabahan talaga ako. Syempre anong maiisip mo, ‘di ba? And though I’m having doubts the whole time, at the back of my mind may bumubulong padin saken what if totoo naman. Ang judger ko. Pero hindi kasi talaga, sabi ng instinct ko. Ang sama ko na kung nagjjudge ako pero doubtful talaga ako. So after the call, I told my husband and googled and voila! These are what google gave me (see pic below) turns out hindi ako nagkamali. Scam nga.

Im sharing this with you so you’d be aware. Be extra careful on whoever is calling you and whatever it is that they are asking, whether sa celphone or sa landline. In our case, sa landline sila tumawag. The articles below are dated last year pa so I assume na hindi sila tumitigil. Be very vigilant and wag basta basta magtiwala. You can always not say yes. Isipin mo agad kung may pinirmahan ka ba or na fill outan na form whatsoever. At alamin mo kung san nakuha ung number mo. Wag na wag magpaloko lalo na sa pangalan. Colonel Hernani Acosta. Sounds bigtime. Whoever you are. Bigtime na manloloko!

Update: Col. Acosta called again to ask if my husband agreed to get a ticket for the Balik-Eskwela dinner. I was able to get the info: The dinner will be held on August 30 sa Great Eastern Hotel. He asked kung wala daw bang nasabi si Jolo. Told him that my husband only said that he would like to be the one to discuss about it. Hindi ko alam na tatawag sya ulit kasi ang sabi ko sa kanya is 6pm. Lets see kung tatawag sya ulit bukas.

I was able to contact Great Eastern Hotel and they confirmed that no booking was made for Balik Eskwela dinner on August 30.

Ps: called several divisions of Camp Aguinaldo walang makapagsabi na may Balik Eskwela program sila and wala din nagcoconfirm that this certain Colonel Hernani Acosta exists. But I was told that they are not allowed to solicit in any form whenever they have such programs.

So beware guys. Wag kayong magpadala sa pangalan nya. This is a scam. Sabihan nyo na ung mga kasama nyo sa bahay baka matawagan kayo. Nagrrun through ata sila ng no. Sa directory. Ingat guys and wag basta magtiwala. Magshare tayo ng blessing pero hindi sa ganitong paraan.