Scam Watch Pilipinas warns public vs fake ‘Father’s Day Ayuda’ website targeting Filipino fathers

Scam Watch Pilipinas is warning the public against a fraudulent online campaign targeting Filipino fathers ahead of Father’s Day, using a fake “Father’s Day Ayuda” program supposedly offered by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in partnership with GCash.

The scam uses a website carrying the logos of DSWD and GCash and promises a P3,000 cash payout to “every Filipino” through GCash. Victims are encouraged to click a “Get” button and enter their mobile number to supposedly claim the assistance.

Initial checks show that the website is not affiliated with either DSWD or GCash.

Scam Watch Pilipinas found that the domain used in the scam was registered only on June 12, 2026, making it just a few days old. Domain registration records indicate that it was registered through a China-based registrar. The anti scam advocacy group notes that newly created domains are commonly used in phishing and scam campaigns because they can be quickly abandoned once reported.

What makes the campaign particularly dangerous is its use of Facebook and other social media platforms to spread rapidly. Victims are instructed to share the supposed aid program with at least five contacts before proceeding with the claim process. This tactic allows cybercriminals to expand the reach of the scam while leveraging trust between family members and friends.

After completing the sharing requirement, victims are typically asked to provide personal information and mobile numbers. In many similar scams, users are later prompted to enter a “verification code” supposedly needed to release the financial assistance.

Scam Watch Pilipinas warns that this “verification code” is often the One-Time Password (OTP) sent by banks, e-wallet providers, social media platforms, or other online services. Once victims disclose the OTP, cybercriminals can gain access to accounts, perform unauthorized transactions, take over social media profiles, or use compromised accounts to spread additional scams.

“Scammers may not ask for your OTP outright. They often disguise it as a 4- to 6-digit verification, security, or confirmation code. If someone asks you to read or send that code, assume it is your OTP. Legitimate companies will only ask you to enter it yourself within their official app, never share it with another person,” said Jocel de Guzman, co-founder of Scam Watch Pilipinas.

The group emphasizes that legitimate government agencies do not require recipients to share promotional posts with multiple contacts before receiving benefits. Likewise, government assistance programs do not ask beneficiaries to surrender OTPs, passwords, PINs, or account verification codes.

“Cybercriminals are taking advantage of Father’s Day and the financial challenges many Filipino families face,” said Guzman. “If you see an offer that promises cash assistance in exchange for sharing a link, providing personal information, or entering an OTP, stop immediately. Legitimate government programs do not operate that way.”

De Guzman said the requirement to share the supposed aid program with multiple contacts is a common tactic used by scammers to rapidly increase the reach of fraudulent campaigns while creating a false sense of legitimacy through referrals from friends and family.

“When it comes to your OTP, treat it like the key to your house. Never give it to anyone,” he said. “Father’s Day should be a time to celebrate fathers, not a time for criminals to exploit them. The best gift fathers can give their families this Father’s Day is to stay vigilant, protect their accounts, and verify information before clicking any link or sharing any personal data online.”

The public is urged to verify any government assistance program through official DSWD channels and to exercise caution when encountering offers that promise easy cash assistance in exchange for personal information.

The incident highlights how cybercriminals continue to exploit holidays, special occasions, and financial hardships to lure victims into surrendering sensitive information, making Father’s Day the latest occasion being used as bait for online fraud.

(The Scam Watch Pilipinas and TechWatch PH are both powered by Truth360 Inc.)