TWO FOREIGNERS, one from Poland and the other from Turkey, were assisted by the Lupon government in Davao Oriental, after reportedly falling victim to an alleged love scam.
The incident came to light on Friday, July 11, 2025, prompting swift action from local authorities, especially facilitating their safe return to Manila to be endorsed to their respective embassies.
Lupon Mayor Sonny Q. Alonzo Jr. personally extended urgent support to the victims.
A love scam or a romance scam is a fraudulent practice of creating a fake online profile to catfish the potential victim and make them fall in love. The goal is to milk money from them through investments or supposed family or personal emergencies.
Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) also assisted the two foreigners through its Balik-Probinsya Program, a government initiative typically aimed at helping returning residents.
A staff member from the mayor’s office and a representative from Lupon’s Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) personally accompanied the foreigners to ensure their well-being during transit.
Meanwhile, the local government also thanked the concerned citizens within the community who stepped forward to offer temporary shelter and care to the victims during their stay in the municipality.
Authorities continue to remind the public, both local and foreign visitors, to exercise extreme caution when engaging in online relationships, especially when financial transactions or personal travel are involved, to avoid falling prey to similar fraudulent schemes.
Photo courtesy of Mayor Sonny Alonzo Facebook
