20/01/2026
Scammer Alert 🚨‼️
Sharing Our Experience to Warn Others
I’m posting this to raise awareness, especially for business owners and suppliers like us.
Yesterday, my father and I were on separate schedules when he received a phone call from someone placing an order worth ₱550,000 for fire extinguisher dry chemicals. (Orders of this size are actually common for us.)
The caller introduced himself as Carlos Alaba from Arko Realty and Development Corporation, allegedly based in Ilocos. He said our company had been recommended by one of our previous clients from Ilocos Norte and that they had an ongoing project in Tagkawayan, Quezon Province.
At first, nothing seemed suspicious. The conversation sounded exactly like how our legitimate clients usually communicate. The order size was normal for our business, and even the request for a commission was something we were already used to. Because of this, my father did not notice any immediate red flags.
The caller emphasized that it was a rush order and immediately asked for our bank account details so he could deposit the payment. About an hour later, my father asked me to update our passbook. At the bank, we confirmed that ₱550,000 had been credited, but it was still pending clearing, and we were instructed to return the next day at 10:00 AM for confirmation.
The caller became impatient and started asking for a commission of ₱80,000, claiming it was “just for invoicing and reference.” The explanation didn’t make sense to me, and I started to feel uneasy—commissions don’t work that way. Still, my father mentioned that the client was allegedly recommended by someone he knew from DILG Ilocos, so I relied on that information.
I asked for a valid ID and company profile, but he said he would include them with the other documents and email everything later.
Although he was requesting ₱80,000, my father and I agreed to risk only ₱20,000, making sure it was a bank-to-bank transaction. After this, my father officially handed the transaction over to me to manage directly.
The caller contacted me again and told me that a second order was already in process—this time for liquid chemicals worth ₱652,500. While continuing the conversation, I was already researching his name and the company online.
Another amount appeared in our account, still pending clearing. What shocked me was that the ₱652,500 appeared twice. 😅 Banks do not accidentally double-send large amounts. At that point, the total amount showing in our account was already ₱1.8M.
He then asked for another commission for the second order. I refused and told him clearly that we would wait for the clearing the next day at 10:00 AM. I also told him that if he could not wait, we would cancel the orders. He kept pushing, rushing, and insisting that he needed the money immediately.
By that time, I had already contacted the real owner of Arko Realty and Development Corporation using their official contact details. They confirmed that they do not have any project in Quezon Province and that they do not have any employee named Carlos Alaba.
That was the moment everything made sense. The scammer sounded professional, confident, and convincing. He knew the right words to say and how to make the transaction look legitimate. This is why my father believed the story.
Important Reminder for Everyone
Scammers today are very organized and patient. They study how real businesses operate and replicate the exact processes. Seeing money reflected in your account does not automatically mean it is safe to release funds, especially when it is still pending clearing.
Always verify the identity of the person and the company through official channels. Never send commissions, advances, or any payments under pressure. Legitimate clients will understand proper banking procedures and will never rush you to release money.
If something feels off, stop the transaction and investigate. It’s better to delay a deal than to lose your hard-earned money.
Please stay alert and share this to help others avoid the same situation.
