A Filipino shared an experience involving a courier service rider who was tasked with taking photos of his vehicles and residence.
Automotive publication VISOR on Thursday, November 6, featured a reader-submitted story about an individual’s encounter with a Lalamove rider who took pictures of their house and vehicles.
The individual confronted the rider, who said he had been instructed to take photos of the property and then leave.
“He mentioned that a person booked the location of my address and instructed him to take photos and leave. I asked the rider how come this is possible as the Lalamove service is only for courier and cargo. The rider showed the instructions from the sender and we even called the person,” the individual shared.
“I specifically heard the person saying, ‘Di ba sabi ko sa iyo picture-an mo lang and umalis ka na?’ If this happened to me, this is also probably done to other people. Lalamove riders are being used as accomplices for possible theft, robbery, or illegal activities,” the individual added.
The reader said they plan to file charges but will not disclose the information of the person who booked the courier service.
They also included a screenshot of an exchange of messages between the rider and the individual who booked the service.
The individual said that they shared the incident “for awareness and security of the public.”
The post has garnered 7,600 reactions, 2,300 shares, and over 560 comments, including those from individuals who claimed to have experienced a similar modus.
“Na-experience din namin ito. Luckily, nakita ko agad sa CCTV camera namin. Same din ginawa, nag-take ng photos ng house, pati sa mga car namin. Ang ginawa ko, nilabas ko siya at pinaharap ko siya kung saan nakatutok ang CCTV para makuha ng buo ang itsura niya,” a Facebook user said.
“Ang palusot niya, sa address ko daw naka-pin ang car rental, which is hindi totoo. Dahil sa issue, nag-inform ako na naka-record sa CCTV at na-capture ang mukha niya. Sa Bacoor, Cavite ito nangyari,” the Facebook user added.
“Had almost the same experience pero hindi ko ma-post dito CCTV footage, I don’t know why. For awareness sana. A courier rider went in front of our gate, waited, then took a photo of the parcel, then left (without leaving the parcel or calling the receiver if legit nga talaga siya). Pero kita sa footage na loob ng driveway kinunan niya ng pic. [Two] days later, bikes were stolen,” another shared.
Some riders also reported encountering suspicious bookings.
“As a Lalamove rider, yes, na-e-experience namin ‘yung ganito. Advice ko lang din sa mga kapwa ko rider sa mga gnitong sitwaston. ‘Wag na natin patulan. Baka may involve na drug or massacre kidnapping [pa diyan]. At madawit pangalan natin [diyan] dahil sa picture na sinend natin sa tao,” a Facebook user said.
“I was a Lalamove courier too. Pero ibang eksena ‘yung pinagawa sa akin. Ang siste, pumasok daw ako sa bar at hanapin ‘yung tao na nasa description ng nag-book at picturan kung sino ‘yung mga kasama, hahahaha. Nag-tip ng 100 pesos. Pero yung ganito, never ko gagawin ‘to dahil baka lumabas na accomplice pa ako kapag nagkaroon ng theft or robbery sa pinicturan ko,” another wrote.
“May nag-book sa’kin ng similar noon. Sabi niya may susundan kaming tao and willing siya magbayad ng malaki sa’kin. Mag-i-i-spy daw kami sa taong ‘yun. I refused the offer kahit malaki. I don’t wanna get involved in something suspicious,” a different Facebook user commented.
Lalamove has yet to respond to Interaksyon’s request for comment as of writing.
Meanwhile, the courier service is a popular on-demand, same-day delivery platform that allows users to send items directly to other individuals.
According to its website, its riders are prohibited from delivering passengers, pets, chemicals, unsecured flammable objects, or any items that could endanger them.
