Mayor Greg Gasataya has directed law enforcement to take swift action following a brazen impersonation scam that targeted a working student and a local business owner early morning Monday, August 24, at 24H Supermart along Rizal Street, Bacolod City.
At approximately 3:55 a.m., an unidentified suspect allegedly posed as the mayor to deceive the victims into transferring funds. The suspect reportedly booked two rooms at a nearby hotel, claiming to accommodate arriving official guests and uniformed personnel, a press statement from the Bacolod City Communications Office said.
The caller then requested to talk to the hotel’s security guard and asked for assistance to locate a GCash facility, claiming his personal bank accounts were temporarily unavailable.
The guard referred the caller to an EC Pay terminal available at the 24H Supermart.
The suspect then spoke with the store’s duty cashier — a working student employed only two weeks prior — and ordered food for his supposed guests. He then demanded the cashier transfer funds directly to his account, promising immediate reimbursement upon arrival.
Under pressure, the victim processed two PayMaya transactions for a total of ₱9,900.
Upon learning of the incident, Gasataya met with the victims — the security guard, the cashier, and store owner Neil Conde — to express his concern and condemn the fraud. The victims reported the caller’s voice sounded exactly like the mayor, raising concerns over the possible use of artificial intelligence voice-cloning technology.
“I will not tolerate criminals exploiting my identity, especially to prey on local businesses and honest workers. I have requested the Bacolod City Police Office for an immediate investigation and crackdown to bring the scammers to justice,” the mayor warned.
This is not the first reported incident. A similar scam occurred on September 15, 2025, when a caller impersonated the mayor to order food at a local seafood restaurant and solicited funds via GCash.
Mayor Gasataya has instructed Bacolod City Police Office City Director PCol. Eugene Rebadomia to launch a full investigation and apprehend those responsible. The City Government is also coordinating with the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) and financial service providers to trace the mobile number and account used in the scheme.
The City Government advises the public to verify all requests for money transfers purportedly coming from the Mayor’s Office. Anyone encountering such calls or messages is encouraged to report them immediately to the PNP or the City Mayor’s Office.*
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