MANILA, Philippines — A 21-year-old delivery rider in Puerto Princesa has become the latest victim of a scam involving counterfeit money and online payment deception, highlighting the increasing risks faced by gig workers in the digital economy. Earl Joven Mateo, a resident of Barangay Irawan and a rider for MAXIM, sought assistance from the Anti-Crime Task Force with the help of two police patrollers from Police Station 1 after realizing he had been deliberately deceived during a delivery transaction.

According to Mateo’s account, a certain Joseph Bartolo placed an order for Red Horse beer amounting to ₱921.00, initially promising to pay via GCash. However, upon delivery, Bartolo handed him a ₱1,000 bill, which Mateo immediately recognized as fake and returned. The suspect then paid using several ₱100 bills, which were later also found to be counterfeit. To further delay and confuse the victim, Bartolo instructed Mateo to proceed to another location to collect the remaining payment and even sent ₱300 via GCash to maintain the illusion of legitimacy.

When Mateo arrived at the given address in Camella, Sicsican, he discovered that the suspect was not a resident there and was unknown to security personnel. Attempts to contact Bartolo afterward failed. Suspecting foul play, Mateo returned to Filinvest, Barangay San Miguel, where he believed the suspect was still drinking with companions, only to be met with silence. Left with no other option, he reported the incident to authorities.

This case exposes a troubling pattern of scams targeting delivery riders, who often operate under pressure and rely on trust to complete transactions quickly. It also raises concerns about the circulation of counterfeit money at the community level and the misuse of digital wallets to facilitate fraud. Beyond the monetary loss, such incidents undermine the safety and dignity of workers who already face precarious conditions. As authorities prepare formal charges against the suspect, the incident serves as a reminder that stronger safeguards, public awareness, and accountability are urgently needed. In an age where cashless payments and on-demand services are becoming the norm, vigilance must evolve alongside convenience—especially to protect those on the front lines of the service economy. (Larawan: We R1 At Your Service Official / Facebook)