JANUARY 4, 2026 — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has sounded the alarm over a scheme exploiting the name of Lt. Gen. Bernard Banac, its Deputy Chief for Administration, to trick unsuspecting individuals into sending money.

According to the advisory, the fraudster operates through the messaging app Viber, presenting Banac’s name alongside a Philippine National Police Academy Class of 1992 seal to appear legitimate. 

Banac, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Tanglaw-Diwa Class of 1992, has been clear: he does not authorize or tolerate any form of solicitation.

“The Viber account and mobile number involved are not associated with Lt. Gen. Banac,” the PNP stressed, warning that any message claiming otherwise is fraudulent and designed to mislead.

Authorities urged the public to ignore such messages and immediately report them. 

“Preserve screenshots and digital evidence when reporting such incidents,” the PNP advised, adding that its Anti-Cybercrime Group and intelligence units are now tracking the perpetrators.

Scammers play on trust — tech plays catch-up

Scammers today know exactly how to play on people’s trust. By borrowing the names of high-ranking officials and even flashing official-looking seals, they make their schemes look real enough to fool anyone. Ordinary folks end up more exposed because the trick feels convincing.

This kind of scam also puts the spotlight on messaging apps and other online platforms. If fraudsters can easily pretend to be someone else, shouldn’t these apps have stronger safeguards? Or is it really up to users to stay alert and double-check every message that comes their way?

The PNP is urging everyone: don’t take these messages at face value. Keep screenshots, save the evidence, and report anything suspicious. Most importantly, don’t give in to pressure to send money.

But the bigger question remains — How do we protect ourselves from scams that keep getting smarter and harder to spot? It’s a conversation worth having, especially as more Filipinos rely on digital communication every day.

In a time when lies can spread faster than the truth, staying alert is the best defense we’ve got.

(Image: Philippine News Agency)