Man Arrested for Alleged P50,000 QR Code Scam in Talisay Store
A 36-year-old man, identified as alias Albert, was apprehended by authorities in Talisay City after reportedly deceiving a local store into transferring P50,000 to his account through a manipulated QR code. The incident occurred on March 3, 2026, at a store located in Linao San Miguel, Barangay Linao, Talisay City.
Details of the Scam
According to initial investigations by the Talisay City Police Station, Albert presented himself as a customer seeking to cash in P50 for an online game called "scatter." He handed over P55 as payment, which the store attendant, familiar with him, scanned the QR code he provided without suspicion. However, during a routine inventory check, the attendant discovered a significant shortage in sales and realized the QR code was pre-programmed to deduct P50,000 from the store's Gcash account automatically.
Albert, an aircon installer living with a partner, claimed during questioning that he made an error in the amount and did not notice the P50,000 credited to his account because he proceeded directly to play the game. He stated this was meant as a form of entertainment, especially since he was currently unemployed.
Police Investigation and Evidence
Police confiscated a mobile phone from the suspect and examined his account, which contained over P50,000. However, the funds could not be withdrawn due to the game's policy requiring a "turn-over" of more than P48,000 before allowing withdrawals. Despite Albert's apologies, the store owner is determined to file a case of Estafa/Swindling through digital deception.
This incident highlights the risks associated with digital transactions and the importance of vigilance in verifying QR codes, particularly in small businesses. Authorities urge the public to double-check payment details to prevent similar scams.
