Pokwang cries over losing P85K after GCash security fiasco, questions SIM registration policy

Comedienne Pokwang shared her devastation after discovering that nearly P85,000 from her mobile wallet had mysteriously disappeared.

The popular mobile wallet app GCash trended on X as multiple users, including celebrities, reported unauthorized withdrawals from their accounts on Saturday.

Some affected users stated that they received texts from GCash, advising them to change their MPIN and assuring them of a refund within 24 hours due to detected unusual transactions.

In an emotional Instagram Live session, Pokwang broke down into tears as she recounted her efforts to rebuild her business on her own, with support from friends who had lent her money.

According to the “TiktoClock” host, the e-money, which was the funding and earnings from her gourmet business, was reportedly wiped out without her knowledge or alert from the app.

The incident was particularly alarming for Pokwang as the P85,000 appeared to have been transferred to over 30 unregistered numbers without the usual security verification, such as a one-time password (OTP), which GCash typically requires for transactions.

“Binalik ko po yung negosyo na mag-isa, ibinangon ko po ulit mag-isa. May mga kaibigan po akong tumulong, nagpahiram po sa akin ng pera,” Pokwang tearfully shared.

“Binangon ko po yung negosyo, ang ganda po kasi nakakabalik po ako paunti-unti. Nakakapagbigay po ako ng trabaho sa mga single mom. [Pero] yung pinagpaguran mo, yung naipon mo, pagkagising mo isang araw wala na.”

Pokwang appealed to GCash management to assist in recovering her lost funds, imploring, “GCash baka naman may magawa kayo, nasimot po yung pera namin, nasimot po yung pinagpaguran namin. Kasama po doon yung pagpasuweldo sa mga tao.”

She further questioned the effectiveness of the mandated “SIM Registration Act“, which requires all users to register their SIM cards before activation.

President Marcos signed this law in October 2022, aiming to eliminate “nefarious and fraudulent digital activities” often facilitated by anonymous mobile numbers.

“Ano pong nangyari doon sa registered SIM natin na policy ngayon? Ang dami pong transaksiyon na nangyari, tatlumpung transaksiyon po, iba-ibang number,” the actress questioned.

“Inubos po yung laman ng GCash ng anak ko, [kung saan] po pumapasok yung mga bayad po sa order. Nakakalungkot lang kasi lumalaban ka nang patas, naghahanapbuhay ka tapos may mga taong ganyan [mapagsamantala],” Pokwang remarked.

After her live stream, she also posted screenshots of the transactions on a separate Instagram post, calling out the mobile wallet app for answers.

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A post shared by Marietta Subong (@itspokwang27)

Her caption reiterated her frustration, which read, “Naghahanap buhay po ako ng marangal nagbibigay po ako ng hanap buhay sa mga single mom, tapos isang umaga pagka gising mo simot ang laman ng GCASH acc[ou]nt???

“[N]akakaiyak binangon ko mag-isa ang negosyong pinabayaan ng taong inasahan ko[,] pinagkatiwalaan ko[,] pati ba naman dito naisahan pa rin ako?,” lamented Pokwang.

In response to the growing number of complaints from affected users, GCash released an official statement.

They assured users that their accounts remain secure, explaining that the company is currently conducting a reconciliation process and wallet adjustments to address the issue.

“A few GCash users were affected due to errors in an ongoing system reconciliation process. This incident was isolated to a few users and we assure our customers that their accounts are safe. We have identified and reached out to our affected accounts. Wallet adjustments are ongoing,” GCash’s statement read.