The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has warned Filipinos in Australia to be cautious about individuals impersonating Philippine Consulate General in Sydney personnel to solicit money fraudulently.

In a message to DAILY TRIBUNE, DFA Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Eduardo de Vega reminded the public to remain vigilant of fraudulent schemes targeting overseas Filipino workers.

“The DFA advises the public to be wary of persons posing as government officials soliciting money through email, phone calls, or text messaging, supposedly to assist distressed nationals,” De Vega said.

Earlier this week, the Philippine Consulate General in Sydney reported a rising number of individuals posing as personnel from the Philippine Consulate General in Sydney or as Philippine government officials and asking for money or to transfer/send money to bank accounts or through mobile applications.

“The Consulate General in Sydney will never solicit money to assist distressed Filipino nationals through email, phone calls, or SMS,” it said in an advisory.

Filipinos who receive such suspicious requests are encouraged to verify directly with the Philippine Consulate and report any fraudulent activities to authorities.

The public is also informed that the only official mobile numbers and email addresses of the Philippine Consulate General in Sydney are: Assistance to Nationals: +61 481 728 027; Duty Phone: +61 415 426 400 or Email address: sydney.pcg@dfa.gov.ph.