AMLC denies false freeze orders, warns Filipinos against scams
By Keisha B. Ta-asan, Reporter
THE ANTI-MONEY Laundering Council (AMLC) has denied being the source of a freeze order covering two accounts at a certain bank and urged the public to be more vigilant against fake documents.
In an advisory posted on its website, the AMLC said it has received an inquiry from a concerned citizen regarding the validity of a certain Certification dated Dec. 8, 2023.
“After scrutinizing the aforementioned inquiry, the AMLC discovered an alarming scheme wherein a scammer deploys a deceitful and counterfeit Certification to make it appear that the accounts of specific individuals and/or entities have been subjected to a freeze order issued by the AMLC,” it said.
The dirty money watchdog said the certification, which indicated an alleged finding of probable cause for violation of the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012, was found to be “spurious.”
“The AMLC denies the issuance of the fraudulent and spurious document denominated as Certification dated 8 December 2023, issued to a certain bank. Any document and/or certification of similar tenor is not genuine, nor authorized by the AMLC,” it said in a statement.
“We hereby caution the public to disregard any emails, letters, or documents of similar nature, as these are confirmed to be fraudulent,” it added.
The AMLC said its doors are open for inquiries and encouraged individuals who have been scammed or suspected of having encountered suspicious documents.
“The AMLC strongly advises individuals to promptly report such deceptive activities to the relevant law enforcement authorities,” it added.
Based on the 2021 Sanctions Guidelines of the AMLC, the council has the authority to issue freeze orders and issuances against individuals and entities listed in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Consolidated List and those designated by the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC).
This is consistent with the Philippines’ international obligations to comply with terrorism-related resolutions, including the UNSC Resolution No. 1373 pursuant to Article 41 of the UN Charter.
Under the law, the AMLC, either upon its own initiative or at the request of the ATC, may order to freeze property or funds related to terrorism financing without delay.
All individuals and entities whose properties or funds were frozen may avail the remedies under the Republic Act No. 11479, or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.
The Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, which provided for the creation of the ATC, is meant to strengthen the country’s measures against terrorist financing and dirty money.
The Philippines is hoping to exit the Financial Action Task Force’s “gray list” of jurisdictions under increased monitoring for dirty money risks by October this year.
The country has been on the gray list since June 2021.
