Scammer stole my identity in Forex fraud, Filipino in UAE says

  DUBAI – A Filipino expatriate in the UAE raised alarm after seeing his photo used in a fake account in Facebook to promote a Forex scam. Ericson Reyes, president of the Filipino Social Club in the UAE, said his friend was the first to spot the fake Facebook account and alert him. “She told me that a fake account using my photo was posting comments on Facebook encouraging people to invest in Forex trade,” Reyes told Expatmedia.net. Reyes looked up the suspicious account on Facebook and found that his photo was used as the profile photo of the fake account under the name of “BO LA JI”. The Filipino said that he had “mixed emotions” upon discovering the fake account, which sought to capitalize on his reputation as a community leader. Reyes heads the Filipino Social Club, the only Filipino community group accredited by the Community Development Authority in Dubai. He has received multiple accolades from the Philippine Embassy and the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry for his leadership and active involvement in community events in the UAE. “I was afraid that whoever created the fake account had victimized others using my identity. The account was even updated using my latest posts and photos on social media,” Reyes said. “On the flip side, I was slightly amused because the name Bo La Ji just sounds funny. The scammer also put my status as ‘in a relationship’ even though I have been single for years,” he said. But that did not take away the seriousness of identity theft, he said. “Though Bo La Ji is a funny name, the fake account poses as a serious threat, particularly if the scammer is successful in luring people,” he said. Reyes, who has worked in the UAE in the last 13 years, said this was the first time he has fallen victim to identity theft. He has reported the fake account to the Dubai Police and also encouraged his friends to report the fake account to Facebook. The fake account has since been deleted from the social media platform. “I was relieved that within 24 hours the fake account was removed. Facebook and Dubai Police really worked to keep UAE residents safe,” Reyes said. The UAE has strict anti-cybercrime laws that criminalizes identity theft. Violators face maximum fines of up to Dh2 million and prison terms. Victims may lodge a criminal complaint with the public prosecutor or the police station having jurisdiction against the accused.

How to report e-crime in UAE

Police website: Ecrime.ae Public prosecution: www.pp.gov.ae Police hotline: 999
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