Life in Siargao is usually about waves and sea cleanups, but Andi Eigenmann had to deal with a different kind of “trash” this week. On Thursday, February 26, 2026, the actress-vlogger took to Instagram to warn her followers about a scammer posing as her on Telegram to solicit “donations.”
The poser reportedly targeted Andi’s close friends and followers, using the guise of a fake environmental cause to fish for funds.
The “Sea Cleanup” Scam
According to screenshots shared by Andi, the scammer attempted several tactics to trick unsuspecting victims:
- The Fake Cause: The poser claimed to be organizing a “donation drive” for surfers and a coastal cleanup project—causes that Andi and her partner, Philmar Alipayo, are genuinely passionate about.
- The Withdrawal Excuse: In a more desperate move, the scammer tried to “borrow” money, claiming they had already reached their daily bank withdrawal limit.
- The Tone Fail: Andi was quick to mock the scammer’s poor attempt at mimicking her voice, pointing out their “bad grammar” and formal messaging style.
A Firm “No” from the Happy Islander
Andi made her stance crystal clear to her 3 million+ followers:
“Warning! Someone is posing as me on Telegram and attempting to solicit money in the guise of a donation drive! Please be advised that I will never in my life ask anyone for money.”
She further humored the situation by telling the scammer to “fix your grammar” and joked that it “takes a Slytherin to impersonate a Slytherin,” referring to her own self-identified Hogwarts house.
Protecting Your Digital Space
Andi’s experience is part of a rising trend of “celebrity posing” scams on messaging apps. Authorities remind the public:
- Verify the Source: Official donation drives from public figures are almost always announced via their verified (blue checkmark) social media accounts.
- Don’t Send Cash to Individuals: Legitimate foundations use official bank accounts or registered platforms, not personal Telegram or GCash transfers to unknown numbers.
Andi Eigenmann warned her fans on February 26, 2026, about a scammer on Telegram posing as her to solicit money for a fake “sea cleanup” donation drive. The actress clarified that she never asks for money from the public and mocked the scammer’s poor grammar and inaccurate tone. She urged followers to be vigilant and not engage with any unofficial accounts claiming to represent her or her partner, Philmar Alipayo.