‘SINS OF THE FATHER’ CAST OPENS UP ABOUT ONLINE SCAM EXPERIENCES

From losing money to unauthorized credit card charges to encountering Al-generated videos used on online gambling websites, the cast of ABS-CBN’s crime action-drama “Sins of the Father” shared their own experiences, and those of their friends, involving online scams.

- By CHARMIE JOY PAGULONG

As Season 2 of the most-watched series on iWant ends tonight (Nov. 21), the actors and creatives reflected on how the show has helped shed light on widespread scams and fraud, one of its core themes.

RK Bagatsing recalled at a presscon that he once invested ina scheme which “unfortunately turned out to be a scam.” “The investment (company) eventually closed but I heard that some people had used my cheque and my name to recruit others. It didn’t cause any negative (issue) on my part but I called their attention.”

Shaina Magdayao was thankful that she had not encountered any scam incidents but shared that her friend lost money from clicking a link that was allegedly sent from a bank.

“This show is very, very important to us and to the viewers because even if it hasn’t happened to you, I’m pretty sure you know someone or a family member who experienced something like this,” she said and thanked the series’ creatives and directors for coming up with a show that could help viewers.

On the other hand, Seth Fedelin divulged that he had personally fallen victim to a skimming scam.

“Nagpa-gas yung ermat ko using my card at a gasoline station,” he recounted.

“Four days later, I received a credit card bill na na-trace sa ticket ng eroplano. We were surprised because siyempre kargo ko yun. So I called the bank and fortunately, the bank believed me.”

Francine Diaz, meanwhile, she hadn’t personally experienced such an unfortunate situation, but some of her friends invested in a scheme and never recovered their money. “Tapos kunwwari palalakihin tapos yung day na kukunin dapat nila (money) biglang zero na yung balance ng accounts nila. Tapos hindi na nila makuha ever. Tapos yung iba nangutang pa para pang-invest nila and yung iba nag-sangla ng mga jewelry nila.”