Public warned about text scam which says they won cash in TV game show ‘Wowowin’

Host Willie Revillame in an episode of Wowowin. Photo: Screenshot from Wowowin episode.
Host Willie Revillame in an episode of Wowowin. Photo: Screenshot from Wowowin episode.

Filipinos are big fans of game shows, but some people are taking advantage of this fandom.

Case in point is this text scam which television network GMA warned the public about yesterday.

In a statement published on its entertainment news site, GMA said that they have received reports about text messages that have been circulating, telling recipients that they have won PHP850,000 (US$16,434) in a raffle held on Feb. 22 on Wowowin, the network’s popular game show.

The senders of these messages even introduce themselves as the lawyer Felipe L. Gozon, known as the chairman and chief executive officer of GMA.

The nerve of these scammers.

Naturally, GMA said that these messages were not sent by Gozon or the network. There was no raffle held on Wowowin either. They asked those who have received these scam messages to report them to the Department of Trade and Interior’s hotline at 632 751 3330.

Ooh, you guys are in trouble.

This is not the first time that scammers have been linked to Wowowin. In September, its host and co-producer Willie Revillame accused a woman of bringing contestants into the studio only to ask for a commission once they win.

Drama seems to follow this show. Last month, it became the center of a bigger controversy when one audience member died and another was injured when an accident occurred during its taping.

Game shows and variety shows are popular among Filipinos because they dole out cash prizes and thrive on drama.

Aside from giving money to the audience, for example, Revillame is also known for asking them about their personal problems and encouraging them to talk about it on-air. Another GMA show, Eat Bulaga, also uses the same formula.



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