Filipinos Warned of Text Scam Purportedly Sponsored by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas The public is advised to disregard text messages which inform the prospective victim of winning PhP2M from an electronic raffle draw, allegedly sponsored by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), based on the last digits of the victim’s mobile number.      Philippine Ambassador to Brazil Teresita V.G. Barsana reported to the department an attempt by unscrupulous individuals in the Philippines to deceive an OFW in Brasilia into participating in this text fraud which uses the name of “BSP Governor Artemio [sic] Tetangco” with contact number 639283948881.      The OFW called the said number and was able to speak with a man who introduced himself as “Governor Tetangco.”      The man confirmed the existence of the raffle, as well as the prize money, and further claimed that the same was sanctioned by the Office of the President.      The OFW was then advised of the procedure to claim her prize, i.e., to remit US$350.00 to a designated recipient through Western Union to supposedly cover tax payments and transmittal charges. The OFW was also instructed to contact another person using the name “Atty. P.D. Ilagan”, with mobile number 639157029178, purportedly the manager of a Western Union Branch in Makati City, who will provide the pin code once the remittance has been confirmed.      The text scam used similar ruses as those previously circulated scams, in which perpetrators send series of text messages and accept calls to phone numbers they provide. Perpetrators convince their victims to wire-transfer a so-called processing fee.      The BSP has issued a public advisory on the matter, denying its participation in such games or raffles. The Department of Foreign Affairs advises overseas Filipinos to refrain from responding to similar text messages, and to immediately report such cases to the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate General. (DFA) Bahrain Imposes Tougher Penalties Against Use Of Methamphetamine Hydrochloride Philippine Ambassador to Manama Eduardo Pablo M. Maglaya reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that the Kingdom of Bahrain has publicly announced that tougher penalties would be meted out to users/dealers of methamphetamine hydrochloride (also known as meth, speed, or shabu).      The Government of Bahrain amended on 16 August its list of high category dangerous drugs to include methamphetamine hydrochloride. Anyone caught with the illegal drug could face prohibitive fines and sentences of up to life in prison. Southeast Asians were identified as those who, by way of smuggling, introduced the illegal drug in Bahrain some five years ago. Over the past few years, several Filipinos were caught for shabu trafficking. Recently, a Filipino national was arrested for selling shabu in a sting operation.      Filipinos entering Bahrain are advised to be wary of packages that are sent through them as these may contain illegal drugs. (DFA)