DAVAO CITY – Around 445 scam complaints here were recorded in 2023, fewer than the 590 cases in the previous year, an official from the city’s Anti-Scam Unit said Monday.
Simplicio Sagarino, Anti-Scam Unit head, said the complaints came from walk-in clients and those coursed through the Davao City Reports social media page.
"We are focusing on raw lots and investment schemes. There are many reports regarding the sale of raw lots," Sagarino said in an interview, adding that their office is in coordination with the Department of Housing, Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) for such cases.
Some cases had been resolved, he said, while others were referred to various authorities such as the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, the National Bureau of Investigation, the Davao City Police Office, DHSUD, and the Housing, Settlements, Adjudication Commission.
Sagarino added that the Securities and Exchange Commission informs them of new illegal investment schemes, the latest of which was on illegal franchising of stores.
"There is a separate permit for pure restaurant, if you offer franchising, an additional permit is needed," he said.
He urged city residents to visit their office for queries regarding scam cases. (PNA)
