BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — A late-night phone call that allegedly sounded exactly like Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya has triggered a police investigation after a working student and a local business were allegedly deceived into sending ₱9,900 through digital payment transactions.
Mayor Gasataya has ordered the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) to identify and pursue those behind the impersonation scheme, amid concerns that the suspect may have used artificial intelligence-powered voice cloning to make the scam more convincing.
How the Alleged Scam Unfolded
According to reports from Panay News, the incident happened at around 3:55 a.m. on August 24, when an unidentified caller allegedly posed as Gasataya and created an elaborate story involving supposedly arriving official guests and uniformed personnel.
The caller reportedly booked rooms at a nearby hotel before asking the hotel’s security guard for help locating a facility where money could be transferred, claiming that his personal bank accounts were temporarily unavailable. The guard then directed the caller to an EC Pay terminal at a nearby Supermart.
The suspect allegedly spoke with the store’s duty cashier—a working student who had been on the job for only about two weeks—and asked for assistance with transactions connected to the supposed guests. The cashier was allegedly pressured into processing two PayMaya transactions totaling ₱9,900, with the caller promising reimbursement upon his arrival.
What has made the case particularly alarming is what the victims reportedly told authorities afterward: the caller sounded like Mayor Gasataya himself.
That detail has raised concerns about the possible use of AI voice-cloning technology, although authorities have not publicly confirmed that such technology was used. At this stage, the voice-cloning angle remains a concern raised by the victims and cited in reports—not an established forensic finding.
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Mayor Gasataya: ‘I Will Not Tolerate’ Criminals Exploiting His Identity
Gasataya personally met with the victims and condemned the alleged fraud, saying criminals who exploit his identity to target workers and businesses will face action.
He directed BCPO Director Col. Eugene Rebadomia to conduct an immediate investigation and identify those responsible. The city government is also coordinating with the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) and financial service providers to help trace the mobile number and account allegedly connected to the scheme.
The mayor’s warning comes as impersonation scams increasingly exploit trust and familiarity—whether through a convincing voice, a familiar name, or a fabricated emergency designed to pressure victims into acting before they can verify a request.
This Was Not the First Scam Using the Mayor’s Name
The latest case is not the first time someone has allegedly used Gasataya’s identity in an attempt to deceive Bacolod businesses.
In September 2025, authorities warned about a separate incident in which a caller impersonating the mayor allegedly placed a food order and solicited money through GCash. Gasataya publicly warned residents and businesses at the time that fraudsters were using his name to manipulate victims.
The apparent repeat incidents underscore a growing challenge for public officials and business owners: a familiar voice or recognizable identity is no longer, by itself, proof that a caller is genuine.
How to Avoid Falling Victim to Impersonation Scams
The Bacolod City government has urged residents and businesses to verify requests involving money or financial transactions, especially those supposedly coming from the Mayor’s Office or other government officials.
A simple rule can make a crucial difference: stop, verify, and only then send money.
If a caller claims to be a public official and asks for an urgent transfer:
- Do not send money immediately, even if the caller sounds familiar.
- End the call and independently contact the official office using a verified number.
- Be cautious of requests involving urgent reimbursement, stranded funds, or supposed emergencies.
- Keep screenshots, transaction records, and phone details that may help investigators.
- Report suspicious calls or messages to the PNP or the appropriate government office.
For the working student caught in the middle of this alleged scheme, the financial loss was only part of the story. The incident also serves as a warning to businesses across the Philippines: in the age of AI, even a voice you think you recognize may not be enough to trust.
As police work to identify the people behind the latest alleged scam, the bigger question remains—how many other Filipinos could be targeted by impersonation tactics that are becoming harder to detect?
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