San Miguel Corporation (SMC) has cautioned the public against a surge of online scams exploiting the identity of its chairman and CEO, Ramon S. Ang.
The company said deepfake videos featuring Ang’s likeness and voice have been circulating on social media platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram. The videos are designed to mislead viewers into clicking on malicious links or transferring money through electronic cash services.
“These scams put people at risk, and we don’t want anyone to lose their hard-earned money. I do not promote investments through social media or random emails, and I have never made any video inviting people to invest or promising money-back guarantees,” Ang said in a statement.
SMC confirmed that it has reported the fraudulent content to the concerned platforms and authorities but is still awaiting action. The company reiterated that Ang’s only verified account is his official Facebook page, which is used solely for public posts and announcements. He has no personal accounts on Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, or other platforms.
Apart from impersonation schemes, SMC has also flagged email scams. One involves messages inviting recipients to join a fabricated “vending procurement program.” The company clarified that no such program exists and advised the public to disregard emails from suspicious domains such as “smc@gmail.com
, “vendordepartment,” or “sanmiguelcooperation.com.”
SMC stressed it transacts only with accredited suppliers through its Corporate Procurement Group (smc_cpgsupport@sanmiguel.com.ph
), which does not require payments for accreditation or bidding participation. The email address, it added, is strictly for inquiries, and feedback requests must include a phone number for verification.
The company likewise warned job seekers about recruitment scams, where fake web pages and email addresses are used to pose as official SMC channels. Victims are tricked into paying for supposed medical check-ups or falsified requirements.
SMC reiterated that neither the company nor its subsidiaries charges applicants any fees during the hiring process.
The conglomerate urged the public to exercise caution, block suspicious accounts, and immediately report scams to the proper authorities. (Latigo Reportorial Team)
