The Philippine Embassy received information from a Filipino national in New Zealand saying that her family in the Philippines was contacted by individuals pretending to work in the Embassy, who later demanded for money for an alleged emergency operation for the said OFW. These individuals then asked the OFW's family to send money to a local number in the Philippines through a remittance or money transfer service.

The Philippine Embassy informs the public that the Embassy will never ask for any amount of money to be transferred through a remittance or money transfer service. This scam is similar to the modus operandi of the “Dugo-dugo Gang" in the Philippines, wherein the perpetrators instill panic by saying that a victim needs immediate access to cash due to an accident or emergency operation.

The public is requested to inform your loved ones and families in the Philippines of this scam so they will not fall prey to the nefarious acts of these unscrupulous individuals.