DSWD Issues Urgent Alert on Fraudulent Donation Schemes Impersonating Secretary Rex Gatchalian
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has issued a stern warning to the public regarding individuals who are fraudulently posing as Secretary Rex Gatchalian to solicit donations. These scammers are exploiting the secretary's name and reputation across various digital platforms, including messaging apps, in an attempt to deceive unsuspecting victims into sending money.
Scammers Use Sophisticated Tactics to Appear Legitimate
In a concerning trend, the impostors have been sending messages that falsely claim to be from Secretary Gatchalian, sometimes even identifying themselves as his trusted staff members. The DSWD has reported that these fraudulent communications often request large sums of money, with scammers providing elaborate justifications, such as claiming that their accounts have reached a "transfer limit" for foundation-related activities.
One example message cited by authorities reads: "Maxed out na my account’s limit and my staff’s account for the fund transfers sa Foundation, baka pwede you can do me a favor, will send it back na lang to your account later (midnight) transferred 950k na for them. Just send me the details." In other instances, suspects have introduced themselves as "Emman," purportedly a staff member of Secretary Gatchalian, to establish contact with potential victims.
Official Denial and Public Advisory from DSWD Leadership
Secretary Gatchalian has publicly and unequivocally denied any involvement in such solicitation activities. In a Facebook post dated February 14, 2026, he clarified: "Nais ko pong linawin na hindi ako at hindi kailanman ako nanghihingi o nagso-solicit ng anumang halaga para sa umano’y donasyon sa anumang foundation. Mag-ingat po sa mga nagpapanggap bilang Rex Gatchalian, lalo na sa Signal at WhatsApp, kung saan ginagamit nila ang aking litrato, pangalan, at maging ang contact number upang manloko."
Echoing this sentiment, DSWD Spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao emphasized in a statement on Monday that Secretary Gatchalian does not collect funds for any foundation and has not authorized any associates to request money through private messaging applications. She urged the public to remain vigilant, carefully scrutinize any suspicious messages, and avoid transferring money to individuals claiming to represent the DSWD chief.
Steps to Take if Targeted by These Scams
To combat this fraudulent activity, the DSWD has provided clear guidelines for those who receive such messages:
- Immediately report the suspicious accounts to the relevant authorities.
- Notify the DSWD through its official channels, such as the Facebook account @dswdserves or local Field Offices.
Assistant Secretary Dumlao advised: "Lagi pong tandaan, kapag may natanggap na ganyang mensahe na nagsosolicit ng pera o pondo gamit ang pangalan ng ating Kalihim o sinuman sa Departamento, ipagbigay alam po agad sa official Facebook account ng DSWD, sa @dswdserves, o sa aming Field Offices upang agad na maaksyunan." This proactive approach aims to swiftly address and mitigate the impact of these scams, protecting the public from financial loss and maintaining trust in government institutions.
