The Philippine National Police has ordered police units to investigate individuals allegedly posing as government personnel to gain access to the homes of senior citizens and steal money and valuables.

The directive followed reported incidents in Talisay City, Cebu, and Ibajay, Aklan, where suspects allegedly used offers of government financial assistance to gain the trust of elderly residents.

In Cebu, two men reportedly introduced themselves as employees of the Office for Senior Citizens Affairs and claimed they were distributing P6,000 in financial aid.

The suspects allegedly entered the home of a 77-year-old man on the pretext of conducting a checkup and took a necklace worth P60,000 and a wallet containing P600.

OSCA later denied that the men were its employees and said no such aid distribution was being conducted.

In Aklan, a woman allegedly introduced herself as a representative of the Department of Social Welfare and Development and offered a senior citizen P10,000 in assistance.

She reportedly asked for the victim’s senior citizen ID and was allowed inside the house after saying she needed to use the bathroom.

Two other individuals later entered the house. After the group left, the victim discovered that an envelope containing P15,000 and 140 euros was missing.

The group also reportedly attempted to approach another senior citizen in Kalibo but was stopped by the victim’s grandchild.

“The PNP strongly condemns this modus and will not allow criminals to take advantage of our senior citizens,” PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said.

Nartatez urged the public to verify the identity and authorization of anyone claiming to represent a government agency before accepting offers of assistance.

“The public should always verify the identity and authorization of anyone claiming to represent a government agency, especially those offering financial assistance. Do not surrender personal identification cards or allow strangers into your homes without first confirming their identity with the concerned agency or local authorities,” he said.

He also urged senior citizens to seek help from family members, neighbors or police when approached by suspicious individuals.