Pinay DH reports losing P100k to online ‘scratch and win’’scammers

 

Screenshot of the Facebook page used to entice many of the HK victims

A Filipina domestic helper has reported losing around Php100k to a “scratch and win lottery” scammers that entice victims through live streaming on Facebook, and apparently targets migrant workers.

Loida, 48 years old, said she was encouraged to buy “scratch cards” after seeing the live broadcast on “Scratch Win Live” by the scammers who do not show their faces on screen but can be heard rallying people to join and continuously jotting down the supposed winnings of participants.

Loida said she saw a number of posts in the comments section saying they had received their prizes, which assured her that the lottery was “legit.”

Basahin ang detalye!

At first she was told that all she had to pay was HK$220 to the GCash account of someone named “Jeraldine Dela Fuente Sanquez” to get 40 cards that would be scratched to reveal hidden prizes denominated in US dollars.

But after a number of her cards were scratched and her supposed winnings reached more than Php1million, Loida was told she needed to pay the full price of HK$2000 before they could proceed further.

Believing that she had already hit the jackpot but wanted more, Loida readily paid the balance of K$1,780 (Php13,740) to the GCash account of “Jibmmy Saruce Sugeta”.

Not long after, her supposed winnings hit more than Php3 million and Loida was told she needed to use a code to get into a Telegram chat to learn how she could collect her winnings.

On the Telegram app, Loida was informed through chat that she needed to pay a processing fee of Php39,819 to one Justine Carlbuce through the GCash account number +63 9560083207 before she could collect her prize. She immediately complied.

The scammers could only be heard, not seen

But after sending the money, she received a notification with the heading “New York State Gaming Commission” telling her that she needed to pay a “currency conversion fee” as she had asked that her prize money which was in peso be deposited to her Hong Kong bank account.

The amount she was asked to pay this time was Php42,217, to be credited to the GCash account of one Berlinda Z. Cabulao, number +63 9456216542. Though getting wary, Loida did as she was told.

This was after she was shown a message to one Mary Grace supposedly from BDO informing her that her winning of Php1.66 million had already been deposited to her account.

Loida eventually came to her senses when told that she needed to pay another Php72,000 for supposedly sending the wrong code.

'Wrong code' notification

She blew her top and warned that she would inform the NBI about the scam, but was just brushed off. Each time she tried to post a comment on their wall to warn others about the scam, it would be immediately deleted.

To this day, she said she is able to access the page, as well as new ones they have created to continue defrauding people, but all her pleas and threats to get her money back are being ignored.

“Gusto kong isuplong ang mga scammer na ito dahil hindi lang ako ang biktima,” (I want to complain against these scammers because I am not the only victim), Loida told the assistance to nationals section of the Migrant Workers Office.

Indeed, there have been others who were enticed to pay at least HK$2,000 to the gang, most of them Hong Kong-based domestic helpers, according to Maria, who was the only one who managed to stop after sending the initial amount of HK$220.

Maria said that while the scammers claim to be operating in Kowloon Tong, this could not be independently verified, meaning they could actually be based in the Philippines which would explain why the money is always sent to GCash accounts there.

A new Facebook page but the same modus operandi

Maria has gathered a number of the victims after seeing them post on the live feed expressing their interest in joining the scratch scam. Unfortunately all of them had already paid HK$2000 each before she could stop them.

According to Maria, some of the victims had used money they were supposed to use to pay off loans in paying the scammers. Loida herself said she had set aside the money she lost to the scammers for her child’s upcoming graduation.

What’s more sad is that this was not the first time Loida had been scammed. About six years ago she was enticed to put HK$40,000 into an investment scheme offered by a person she had treated as kin. The fellow domestic helper who shared her surname disappeared after moving with her employer to a new home without telling her.

 

 

Pinay jailed 12 months for ATM used in money laundering

 

A domestic helper who claimed she threw away her ATM card that ended up being used for money laundering, was jailed for 12 months after pleading guilty at Easterm Court to dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of indictable offence

Chery Morbo, 31 years old, had reported to police that her HSBC account, opened in August 2024, was used for laundering $132,100 after five deposits and nine withdrawals were reported to her by her bank over a five-day period.

She was arrested four months later and had been in remand for four months.

PINDUTIN ITO PARA SA DETALYE

In sentencing, Principal Magistrate David Cheung set a starting point of 18 months’ jail and deducted one-third as a discount for her guilty plea.

Morbo was charged with violating sections 25 (1) and 25 (3) of the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance, because $132,100 in crime money passed though her bank account between Feb. 17 and 22, 2025.

 “This is a case of being taken advantage of,” her lawyer said. He said she did not operate the account and there was no evidence she knew the predicate offense (from which the money was derived by persons unknown).

Basahin ang detalye!

Still, he said, she was remorseful for the crime, and was aware that this ended her work opportunity in Hong Kong.

After graduating from college with an economics degree, she worked in Jordan and Saudi Arabia before coming to Hong Kong.

Pinay gets 3 month jail for stealing watch, 2 Octopus cards and using them

 

The employers lived in this neighborhood (Google Maps photo)

A Filipina who stole a watch and two Octopus cards owned by her employer’s child and used them three times for purchases, was jailed for three months today after pleading guilty to six counts of theft at Eastern Court.

J. Acaton, 26 years old, was actually sentenced by Principal Magistrate David Cheung to two months for the five charges related to the theft and use of the Octopus card, which he ordered to run concurrently, and one month for the theft of the watch.

In addition, he ordered her to compensate her employer $81.80, representing the value of goods she  bought with the Octopus card.

PINDUTIN ITO PARA SA DETALYE

According to the complaint filed by Police, Acaton was was charged with theft, contrary to section 9 of the Theft Ordinance, after she stole one child Octopus card between Feb. 16 and 28, 2026 in their flat at Crown Terrace, Pokfulam.

She stole another Child Octopus card during the same period at the same place.

She then used the Octopus cards in making purchases of $19.90 at PARKnSHOP in Tin Wan 17 Shopping Centre in Aberdeen on feb. 20, HK$38.9 on Feb. 23 at the same store, and $23 at a McDonald’s at Tin Wan, Aberdeen on Feb. 26.

Basahin ang detalye!

Acaton also stole one Skmei Watch worth $300 on Feb. 28 at the employers’ flat.

Meanwhile, at Kowloon City Court, A.M. Valle, 59 years old, was sentenced to two weeks, suspended for 12 months, after she pleaded guilty to theft.

She admitted stealing four red packets containing $140 in cash, the property of Wong Kwan Yiu at their flat at Harbour Place, Hung Hom. Kowloon on Feb. 21.

 

2 theft charges land DH in jail custody

 

West Kowloon Court

A domestic helper has been remanded in jail until the hearing of the two theft charges against her after West Kowloon's principal magistrate adjourned the case to June 10.

PINDUTIN ITO PARA SA DETALYE

Elizabeth Padre, 55 years old, is scheduled for plea by Principal Magistrate Don So on two counts of theft, contrary to section 9 of the Theft Ordinance.

Basahin ang detalye!

In a complaint filed by Police, Padre was accused of stealing an assortment of jewelry and cash of $4,000,; which are the property of he employer Lal Yee-sin Kimedonia, betwoon May 12, 2022 and Oct. 23, 2025 at their flat in Rhine Garden, Sham Tseng, Tsuen Wan.

The second case of theft arose after she allegedly stole another assortment of jewellery and cash of $25,000 between May 12 and Oct. 23, 2025.

15 persons arrested in latest anti-illegal work raids

 

Those arrested included 12 suspected illegal workers 

Two recognizance paper holders seeking asylum in a third country were among 15 people arrested last week in the latest anti-illegal work sweep by the Immigration Department. 

Of those arrested, 12 – six men and six women - are suspected of having worked illegally. The remaining three, aged 34 to 46, are believed to have acted as employers.

PINDUTIN ITO PARA SA DETALYE

The operations which were carried out from April 2 to 9 targeted multiple locations including restaurants, warehouses and massage parlors.

A statement issued by Immigration said an investigation of the suspected employers is continuing, and the possibility of further arrests cannot be ruled out.

Basahin ang detalye!

The statement also warned all employers not to defy the law by employing illegal workers.

“The ImmD will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences,” said the statement.

Employers are subject to a maximum fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for up to 10 years.

Sentencing guidelines make it the employer’s duty to take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment.

Apart from inspecting the jobseeker’s identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make inquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers do not cast any reasonable doubt as to the applicant’s employability.

In the statement, Immigration also warned that engaging in illegal work is a serious offence in Hong Kong, for which the maximum sentence is two years’ imprisonment and a fine of $50,000.

If the offender is a recognizance paper holder subject to removal or deportation, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, the maximum jail term is three years.

Further, the Chief Executive may issue a deportation order against an immigrant who has been sentenced to imprisonment for not less than two years, which carries with it a permanent ban on the offender.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fuel subsidy eyed for Hong Kong

CE Lee chairs the meeting on how HK should respond to rising fuel prices

The Hong Kong government is proposing a HK$3 subsidy for every liter of diesel over two months, as part of measures to cushion the impact of the recent surge in fuel prices due to the conflict in the Middle East.

PINDUTIN ITO PARA SA DETALYE

The measure came at the end of a special meeting called by Chief Executive John Lee on Thursday, during which he was briefed by the newly created Inter-departmental Task Force on Monitoring Fuel Supply (the Task Force).

According to the government, the subsidy to be extended to commercial vehicles and vessels would cost HK$1.8 billion

Basahin ang detalye!

"[This is] to support diesel-powered public or commercial vehicles and vessels as well as related industries, thereby reducing their operating costs and alleviating pressure to raise prices," the government said in a statement.

At the same time, the relevant government agencies will monitor the pricing practices of oil companies to ensure nobody gets to take advantage of the crisis situation to make profit.

Public transport services which are highly susceptible to the fluctuations in diesel prices like school and residential buses will be given top priority for the subsidy.

Another stop-gap measure is to give 50% discount on the tunnel tolls of commercial vehicles, a move that would cost an estimated HK$160 million in public funds. This is to ensure the supply chain for basic food stuff remains open.

To ensure prudence in government spending, the twin moves will last only for two months.

The proposals will now go to the Legislative Council for approval. The Legco finance committee is due to meet today to vet the government’s funding request.

In the meantime, officials will closely monitor developments in the Middle East conflict and its effect on prices to make policy adjustments if necessary.

Week-long heatwave forecast for HK

 

Hikers who plan to venture out this weekend must keep themselves hydrated  (File)

Warm and humid days are forecast for Hong Kong starting Friday and will last for at least seven days.

The HK Observatory forecasts temperatures ranging between 25 and 30 degrees until Thursday next week, before gradually dipping slightly the next day.

The heat is expected to intensify on Saturday and Sunday, though there will be one or two isolated showers.

Basahin ang detalye!

It will be mainly fine from Monday, though remaining hot during the day.

The heat is expected to peak from next Tuesday until Thursday, when temperatures are forecast to hit a maximum of 31 degrees, making these the hottest days so far this year.

Friday and Saturday next week will be significantly cooler with the approach of a trough of low pressure. Temperatures will range between 24 and 28 degrees.

Just last Monday, the Observatory warned that Hong Kong could experience record-breaking heat this year due to global warming.  

“With the possibility of El Niño development later this year and the continued warming of the climate, the annual mean temperature in Hong Kong is expected to be above normal this year with a high chance of reaching the warmest top 10 on record,” a press release from the Observatory said.

The warning came after Hong Kong experienced its hottest winter on record.

The World Meteorological Organization (MWP) said in a report that the planet’s climate is more out of balance now than at any time in history. Earth is said to be gaining much more heat energy than it can release.

DH in jail 10 months for theft

 

Development where theft was committed (Google Maps photo)

A domestic helper was sentenced to 10 months in jail today after pleading guilty to theft of cash and jewelry from her employer.

Jocelyn Ferrer, 32 years old, appeared before Principal Magistrate Don So at the West Kowloon Court, charged with theft, contrary to section 9 of the Theft Ordinance.

Basahin ang detalye!

She stole two pairs of earrings, three necklaces, two rings, one pendant, cash of 30,000 Japanese yen, cash of US$300, cash of 2,000RMB, the property of Xiu Yuan.

Ferrer admitted committing the crime between Oct. 27, 2025 and Dec. 27, 2025 inside their flat at Imperial Seafront, in Tai Kok Tsui, Kowloon.

Pinay denies role in $1.1M money laundering; verdict set

 

The Eastern Court today put off its verdict on a Filipina accused of money laundering, whose defense was that she did not know she had a bank account that was used for deposits and withdrawals of $1.1 million that was derived from an investment scam.

Deputy Magistrate Ho Tsz-chun adjourned the case of Daisy Eugenio, 53 years old, to April 24 for verdict.

Eugenio testified in today’s trial that she was surprised when police arrested her when she went to the Immigration Department to extend her employment visa on March 14, 2025.

“I did not know I had a Mox bank account,” she said. She insisted she had only one bank account, which she opened in 1997 with the Philippine National Bank in Central through which she remits money to her family in Pangasinan.

Basahin ang detalye!

Eugenio was charged with dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of indictable offence, contrary to sections 25(1) and 25(3) of the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance.

She was accused of allowing her Mox Bank account to handle $1,125,995.38, deposited and withdrawn within 11 days from Jan. 7 to Jan. 17, 2024, “knowing or having reasonable grounds to believe that property… in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, represented any person's proceeds of an indictable offence.”

The prosecutor said the money came from two investors who were attracted by a Facebook ad that promised high interest rates on their money through a fake investment platform

The first victim, he said, poured over $1 million into the platform by depositing most of that amount in Eusebio’s account. The second transferred a total of $704,000 to several bank accounts, including Eusebio’s. All this took place within 11 days.

Eusebio’s lawyer said the two victims fell for a scheme of people they barely knew.

Similarly, he said, Eusebio was unaware of an online bank called Mox when a Chinese man and a Filipino woman approached her and two friends in a Wanchai park.

The two said they had a promo that offered a 20 percent discount on purchases of $300 or more at Giordano and Bossini. In return, they needed to register their HKID, which they could then use to get the discount in Giordano and Bossini outlets anywhere in Hong Kong.

They also offered to give two of the three gifts available -- a bag perfume or t shirt – if the registration is successful.

After taking a picture of their HKID, the Chinese man took their “selfies” Eusebio testified.

Her lawyer said Eusebio did not realize the man had opened a Mox account in her name until she was arrested at the Immigration Department months later.

SSS studies loan moratorium, penalty condonation

 

SSS personnel take care of members' needs

The Social Security System (SSS) is studying the feasibility of offering a loan moratorium (or a temporary suspension or reduction of loan repayments for a set period of time) for members, and a condonation program for contribution penalties for employers amid the worsening crisis in the Middle East.

Additionally, SSS is evaluating options for extending contribution payment deadlines for employers and individual paying members.

SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Robert Joseph M. de Claro said these measures aim to provide immediate relief to SSS members and employers struggling with financial difficulties.

Basahin ang detalye!

"We recognize the hardships many Filipinos are enduring," de Claro said. "SSS remains committed to protecting the welfare of our over 40 million members. We are expediting internal reviews and consultations with stakeholders to roll out these support initiatives as swiftly as possible, while safeguarding the long-term sustainability of the SSS fund."

SSS said updates on these programs will be announced through official channels once finalized. Members and employers are encouraged to visit www.sss.gov.ph or its official social media channels for the latest information on its programs.

 

Financial planning seminar for HK OFWs set this Sunday

 

The Migrant Workers Office and the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Manila are co- presenting “Leading OFWs and Beyond, a special program for overseas Filipino workers in Hong Kong aimed at helping them prepare financially for their eventual return to the Philippines.

The seminar will be held this Sunday, April 12, 1-4 pm at the OFW Global Centre on the 18^th floor of United Centre Building in Admiralty.

According to an announcement posted by the MWO aims to give OFWs “practical financial knowhow (and) empowerment tools” to help them prepare better for the future.

Basahin ang detalye!

The following topics will be taken up: (1) Financial Literacy (2) Training and Personal Development (3)Migrant Workers Empowerment  and (4) Women Empowerment Initiatives.

To join, click on this link: https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSenWjuEXHz.../viewform...

For further enquiries, please contact mwo_hongkong@dmw.gov.ph or call 2866 0640 or 55291880

JIL HK successfully defends ownership of Kowloon property

 

The disputed property, which used to be a standalone cinema in Sham Shui Po

The High Court has declared the Jesus is Lord Church in Hong Kong as the rightful owner of a former cinema in Sham Shui Po, Kowloon that it has been using as a place of worship since 2003.

The decision stemmed from a 10-year legal dispute that centered on whether the Church had exercised its option to seal ownership of the property by offering the nominal fee of $1 at the end of a 12-year lease-purchase agreement (LPA) it had with JIL Investments Limited.

The High Court affirmed JIL Church’s ownership; however, its continuous possession has been put in doubt because the disputed property is now encumbered with a HK$30 million loan secured by JIL Investments seven months before the LPA was due to end.

PINDUTIN ITO PARA SA DETALYE

Under the LPA, JIL Church undertook to pay HK$2 million upfront for the property valued at HK$18.5 million. The remaining HK$16.5 million was to be paid in monthly installments over 12 years, with interest.

In his decision handed down on March 31, Deputy High Court Judge Jonathan Wong found that JIL Church had indeed exercised its option to secure ownership of the property, a former cinema attached to the Nam Cheong Commercial Building in Sham Shui Po.

As such, Judge Wong said the defendant is entitled to a declaration that the plaintiff has been holding the title to the property in trust for the JIL Church.

The JIL Church is also entitled to recover the security deposit for the property paid to the plaintiff in the total sum of HK$332,591.94.

Basahin ang detalye!

The judge ordered JIL Investments to transfer the legal title and ownership of the property to JIL Church free from all encumbrances.

But if this not be possible, the premises should still be turned over to JIL Church with the existing encumbrances, along with an order to indemnify the defendant for whatever it pays to discharge the lien. If again this is not possible, plaintiff should pay damages to the defendant.

Defendant JIL Church was also awarded costs and interests

Brother Eddie said he was assured that the transfer of ownership was mere formality

The suit pitted erstwhile friends and “compadres” Eduardo Villanueva (Brother Eddie), founder and spiritual leader of the Philippines-based JIL Church; and JIL Investments’ former director  Stephen Sy Chin-mong (Sy Senior) against each other  

Sy Sr. was chief executive officer of the Bel Trade group of companies, which acquired JIL Investments in September 2003, prior to the execution of the LPA.

Bel Trade was also the company that was sued by the Department of Foreign Affairs in the Philippines in June 2015 after failing to turn over ownership of the 14^th floor of United Center Building in Admiralty at the end of their lease-purchase agreement more than a year earlier. 

(See story here: https://www.rappler.com/moveph/96812-dfa-dfa-ownership-ph-consulate-hk/ )

Brother Eddie and his wife Dory were initially named directors of JIL Investments but were removed in June 2015 during a board meeting chaired by Sy Senior’s son, Sunny, which they claimed to have no knowledge of.

Nor did they acknowledge attending another board meeting at Bel Trade’s office in Hong Kong much earlier, or on March 16, 2014 during which Sy Senior purportedly resigned and was replaced by his daughter, Sandy.

About two months after this board meeting, Sy Sr was declared bankrupt and his son, Sunny, replaced Sandy as director.

Records furnished the court showed neither Brother Eddie nor his wife were in Hong Kong at the time of the supposed board meeting.

The Nam Cheong property has 1,000 seating capacity

Both Brother Eddie and Sy Sr testified in court during hearings held in May and August last year, along with their key officers. The two sides presented opposing versions of the events that transpired before the LPA took effect on Dec 15, 2003, and after it expired on Dec 14, 2015.

Judge Wong said in his decision that no one among the witnesses was entirely truthful. "I have evaluated the witnesses' evidence and have come to the view that none of the witnesses is so reliable that I can accept his/her evidence in full," he said. 

However, this did not prevent him from deducing from the evidence what actually transpired during the material times.

In his testimony that lasted more than a day, Brother Eddie repeatedly told the court that he trusted Sy Sr so much that he did not doubt his assurances that acquiring the property at the end of the LPA was just a formality.

But after reading about the DFA’s suit against BelTrade, Brother Eddie and his officers at JIL Hong Kong got worried about JIL Investments reneging on its promise to hand over the Nam Cheong property at the end of their LPA later that year.

Brother Eddie said he sought a meeting with Sy Sr in the Philippines on Oct. 15, 2015,during which he handed over a written notice informing the plaintiff of JIL Church’s intention to  exercise its option to take ownership in December that year.

At the time, Brother Eddie said he was not aware that his friend had already resigned as a director of the plaintiff, and was subsequently declared bankrupt.

Sy Sr denied receiving the written notice of intent by JIL Church, saying the October 2015 meeting was a mere social interaction between him and Brother Eddie, but the High Court held otherwise.

Judge Wong also dismissed claims that Brother Eddie should have known about Sy Senior’s resignation and bankruptcy.

The judge noted evidence by the plaintiff, specially its officer Ahmed, that Sy Senior remained as the boss of Bel Tade at least up to 2021. Sy Senior even admitted being involved in the DFA litigation which only commenced in mid-2015, and of continuing to carry out business talks with Brother Eddie.

In the meantime, Sunny Sy, even before being appointed director of JIL Investments, had approached Lei Shing Hong for a loan. As a result, LSH on May 9, 2015 granted plaintiff a general credit facility in the sum of HK$30 million for a term of one year, with the property as guarantee.

Subsequently, after taking over as director on May 15, 2015, Sunny Sy said he issued notice for an EGM to be held on June 17, 2015 to vote on a resolution removing Brother Eddie and Sister Dory as directors of the company. The Villanueva couple denied receiving notice about this meeting.

In court, Sunny accepted that the removal of the couple was meant to minimize any potential obstacles in JIL Investment’s use of the LSH Loan.

Sunny, however, said LSH was made aware of the LPA with JIL Church, a claim that was denied by the lending company.

Ultimately, Sunny accepted that the plaintiff is now unable to repay the LSH loan, and as a result, could no longer transfer the property to the defendant free from encumbrances.

JIL Investments initiated legal action in October 2016 (or 10 months after the LPA) expired, to recover possession of the property from the defendant JIL Church, claiming it failed to exercise its option under the terms of the LPA.

The plaintiff also asked for lost profits, and for the de-registration of the LPA with the Land Registry which was preventing it from recovering possession.

On the other hand, defendant JIL Church asserted it had exercised the option to acquire the property by tendering the $1 nominal payment so that it should be declared as the rightful owner.

It also demanded the transfer of the property without encumbrances and for the return of the security deposit it paid at the start of the LPA.

As a side comment, the High Court noted that on Oct. 15, 2003, while the negotiation was ongoing between the parties on the LPA, the property was bought by a company linked to JIL Investments for HK$14.5 million, “well below the purchase price of HK$18.5 million stated in the provisional agreement.”

On top of the purchase price, JIL Church also spent about HK$9.5 million renovating the premises, “engaging a contractor recommended by BelTrade."

By the end of the 12-year LPA, JIL Church was said to have paid a total of over HK$23 million to JIL Investments for the property.

Two senior counsels represented the opposing parties in the suit. Jenkin Suen, SC, appeared for JIL Investments while Ambrose Ho, SC represented JIL Church.

 

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