Being scammed is stressful, embarrassing, and urgent—but in the Philippines, the right first move depends on the kind of scam. An online seller who took your payment and disappeared, a fake investment group, a phishing link that drained your e-wallet, a romance scam, and a “tasking” or crypto scheme may involve different agencies, different evidence, and different legal remedies. This guide explains where to file a complaint against a scammer in the Philippines, what documents to prepare, what laws may apply, and what usually happens after you report.

First, identify what kind of scam you are dealing with

Most scam complaints in the Philippines fall into one or more of these categories:

Type of scam	Examples	Best first offices to approach
Online shopping scam	Fake seller, non-delivery after payment, wrong item, seller blocks you	DTI, platform support, CICC/PNP/NBI if fraud is clear
Bank or e-wallet scam	Unauthorized transfer, phishing, fake bank call, OTP scam, mule account	Bank/e-wallet provider first, BSP if unresolved, CICC/PNP/NBI
Investment scam	Guaranteed returns, crypto “trading,” Ponzi, tasking, pooled funds, fake cooperative or corporation	SEC, CICC/PNP/NBI, prosecutor’s office
Identity theft or hacked account	Scammer used your name, SIM, GCash/Maya, Facebook, email, or ID	CICC, PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group, NBI Cybercrime Division, NPC if personal data breach
Classic estafa	Person deceived you into sending money, borrowing money with false pretenses, or entrusting property	Police/NBI, prosecutor’s office
Credit card or access-device fraud	Unauthorized card use, account-number misuse, stolen credentials	Bank, PNP/NBI, BSP, prosecutor’s office

You do not need to know the exact criminal charge before reporting. What matters at the start is that you preserve evidence, report quickly, and file with an office that can either investigate or refer the case to the proper agency.

Legal basis: what laws punish scams in the Philippines?

Estafa under Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code

The most common criminal label for scam cases is estafa, also called swindling. Under Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code, estafa generally involves defrauding another person by deceit, false pretenses, abuse of confidence, or fraudulent acts that cause damage. The Supreme Court has repeatedly described the essence of estafa as fraud or deceit causing damage or prejudice to another. (Lawphil)

For ordinary victims, this means the complaint should clearly show:

What the scammer represented or promised.
Why that representation was false or deceptive.
How you relied on it.
How much money or property you lost.
How the scammer received or benefited from the money.

Cybercrime Prevention Act, RA 10175 of 2012

If the scam happened through Facebook, Messenger, Viber, WhatsApp, Telegram, email, fake websites, SMS links, online banking, e-wallets, or other digital tools, the Cybercrime Prevention Act may apply. RA 10175 specifically includes computer-related fraud, which covers fraudulent acts involving unauthorized input, alteration, deletion of computer data, or interference with a computer system. (Lawphil)

A very practical reason to act fast: RA 10175 requires service providers to preserve traffic data and subscriber information for a minimum of six months from the transaction date, while content data may be preserved for six months from receipt of a law-enforcement preservation order. (Lawphil)

Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act, RA 12010 of 2024

RA 12010, the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act or AFASA, is especially relevant to phishing, e-wallet fraud, bank-account takeover, money mule accounts, and social engineering. It defines financial accounts to include deposit accounts, transaction accounts, e-wallets, credit card accounts, and similar financial-service accounts. It also penalizes money muling and social engineering schemes used to obtain sensitive financial information. (Lawphil)

This law matters because many scammers no longer use their own accounts. They often rent, buy, borrow, or recruit other people’s bank or e-wallet accounts to receive stolen funds. Those “mule” accounts can become part of the investigation.

Financial Products and Services Consumer Protection Act, RA 11765 of 2022

For investment fraud and financial products, RA 11765 gives financial regulators—such as the BSP, SEC, Insurance Commission, and Cooperative Development Authority—consumer protection powers. The law also penalizes investment fraud or deceptive solicitation of investments from the public. (Lawphil)

Consumer Act of the Philippines, RA 7394 of 1992

For deceptive selling, fake online shops, false advertising, defective products, and misleading consumer transactions, RA 7394 is important. The Consumer Act protects consumers against deceptive, unfair, and unconscionable sales acts or practices, and the DTI enforces the provisions on deceptive sales practices. (Lawphil)

SIM Registration Act, RA 11934 of 2022

RA 11934 requires SIM registration and defines spoofing as transmitting misleading or inaccurate information about the source of a call or text with intent to defraud, cause harm, or wrongfully obtain anything of value. This does not mean every scam number is easy to trace, but it gives investigators a legal route to request subscriber information through proper procedures. (Lawphil)

Access Devices Regulation Act, RA 8484 of 1998, as amended

If the scam involved credit cards, debit cards, account numbers, PINs, passwords, access codes, or other means of account access, RA 8484 may apply. It regulates access devices and penalizes fraudulent acts connected with them. (Lawphil)

Civil Code remedies

A scam is not only a criminal issue. You may also have a civil claim to recover money or damages. Articles 19, 20, and 21 of the Civil Code require people to act with justice, honesty, good faith, and to compensate others for willful or unlawful damage. Article 1170 also makes persons liable for damages when they are guilty of fraud, negligence, delay, or breach of obligations. (Supreme Court E-Library)

What to do immediately after being scammed

1. Stop communicating in a way that gives the scammer more control

Do not send more money to “unlock,” “verify,” “withdraw,” “pay tax,” “upgrade,” or “recover” your funds. Many victims lose more money after the first scam because the scammer invents a second payment requirement.

If the scammer is threatening you, take screenshots first. Then stop responding unless law enforcement specifically instructs you otherwise.

2. Preserve evidence before anything is deleted

Save evidence in a way that shows the full story. Screenshots are useful, but they are stronger when organized and supported by original files.

Prepare:

Full name, alias, username, mobile number, email, profile link, wallet address, bank account, or e-wallet number used by the scammer.
Screenshots of the profile, advertisement, post, group, page, website, product listing, or investment offer.
Full conversation from the first contact to the last demand for money.
Proof of payment, deposit slips, bank transfer receipts, e-wallet receipts, reference numbers, QR codes, and account names.
Delivery details, tracking numbers, invoices, or order confirmations.
Links to the scam page, fake website, Telegram group, Facebook profile, marketplace listing, or crypto platform.
Names and contact details of witnesses, recruiters, agents, uplines, or other victims.
A chronological timeline of events.

Do not crop screenshots so tightly that the date, time, username, and platform disappear. When possible, screen-record the profile, URL, conversation, and transaction history before the scammer deletes or changes them.

3. Report to your bank, e-wallet, or payment provider immediately

For bank, card, and e-wallet scams, contact the financial institution first. Ask for:

Temporary account blocking, if your account was compromised.
Transaction dispute or chargeback review, if available.
Freezing or flagging of the recipient account, if still possible.
A written incident or ticket number.
Confirmation of the exact transaction reference numbers.

If the financial institution does not act on your complaint or you are dissatisfied with the response, you may escalate financial-consumer complaints to the BSP Consumer Assistance Mechanism after first reporting to the institution’s own consumer assistance channel. BSP states that BSP-supervised institutions must have a first-level consumer assistance mechanism, and unresolved complaints may be escalated through the BSP Online Buddy or other BSP channels. (Bureau of the Treasury)

4. Report online scams to Hotline 1326

For online scams, the Inter-Agency Response Center hotline 1326 is a practical first reporting channel. Government sources describe Hotline 1326 as a 24/7 central number for reporting online scams, with CICC, DICT, NPC, and NTC involved, and PNP and NBI as enforcement arms. (Philippine Information Agency)

Use 1326 especially for:

Phishing links.
Hacked social media accounts.
Fake bank or e-wallet messages.
Romance scams.
Online selling scams.
Investment fraud promoted online.
Suspicious scam numbers, emails, websites, or pages.

A hotline report is not always the same as a full criminal complaint. Think of it as an urgent reporting and coordination step, especially when accounts, links, SIMs, or pages need to be flagged quickly.

Where to file a complaint against a scammer in the Philippines

Option 1: File with the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group

Go to the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group or the nearest Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit if the scam was committed through digital means. PNP ACG is commonly used for online seller scams, hacked accounts, identity theft, phishing, fake investment groups, sextortion, and online threats connected to fraud.

Bring printed and digital copies of your evidence. If the scammer used online accounts, give exact links, usernames, mobile numbers, email addresses, screenshots, and transaction receipts. If the evidence is on your phone, bring the phone. Do not factory-reset it.

For urgent police assistance, PNP ACG has also publicly reminded the public to go to the nearest ACG office or call 911 for immediate police assistance. (Facebook)

Option 2: File with the NBI Cybercrime Division

The NBI Cybercrime Division handles requests for investigative assistance for victims of computer crimes. The NBI Citizen’s Charter states that the general public may proceed to the Cybercrime Division, undergo preliminary interview and initial investigation, execute sworn statements, submit prepared affidavits, and provide devices relevant to the probe. The NBI Cybercrime Division process listed in the Citizen’s Charter states no fees, with an indicated total processing time of about 1 hour and 10 minutes for the initial service steps. (National Bureau of Investigation)

The NBI also states that complainants in Manila may visit the Complaints and Recording Division and submit a sworn complaint; in regional and district offices, walk-in complainants may approach the Chief Agent or authorized NBI personnel; and if personal appearance is not possible, a written complaint addressed to the NBI Director may be submitted. NBI assistance and services to the public are provided free of charge. (National Bureau of Investigation)

Use the NBI route when:

The scam involves organized fraud.
Several victims are involved.
The scammer used multiple identities.
You need digital forensic assistance.
The case involves cybercrime, fraud, or financial crimes that may require national-level investigation.

Option 3: File a criminal complaint with the City or Provincial Prosecutor

A criminal case for estafa, cybercrime, access-device fraud, or related offenses is usually brought to the prosecutor through a complaint-affidavit with supporting evidence. DOJ’s filing requirements for preliminary investigation include an investigation data form, complaint-affidavit or sworn statement, and supporting documents. (Department of Justice)

A prosecutor evaluates whether the evidence is sufficient to file an Information in court. Under the 2024 DOJ-NPS rules, preliminary investigation uses the standard of prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction, meaning the complaint should be organized, specific, and supported by admissible evidence. (Department of Justice)

Your complaint-affidavit should include:

Your full name, address, contact number, and valid ID.
The scammer’s known identity, aliases, accounts, and addresses, if known.
A clear timeline of what happened.
The exact fraudulent representations made.
The amount lost and how it was transferred.
A list of attached evidence, marked as annexes.
Names of witnesses or other victims.
A statement that you are filing the complaint for appropriate criminal action.

If the scammer’s real identity is still unknown, you may first file with PNP or NBI so investigators can help identify the person behind the account, number, IP data, payment channel, or mule account.

Option 4: File a DTI complaint for online seller or consumer scams

If the issue involves a seller, supplier, online shop, defective goods, non-delivery, false advertising, or misleading sales practice, file through the DTI Consumer Complaints Assistance and Resolution System. DTI describes its CARe system as an online dispute resolution platform that allows electronic filing of consumer complaints and helps parties resolve disputes online. (consumercare.dti.gov.ph)

DTI is useful when:

The seller is a real business or identifiable online merchant.
You want refund, replacement, repair, or other consumer relief.
The problem is deceptive selling rather than a complex criminal syndicate.
The platform or merchant still exists and can respond.

DTI mediation may help resolve straightforward consumer disputes faster than a criminal case. But if the “seller” used fake names, fake accounts, mule accounts, or immediately disappeared after payment, also report to CICC, PNP ACG, or NBI.

Option 5: File an SEC complaint for investment scams

If the scam involved public solicitation of money with promised profits, passive income, trading returns, staking, “tasking,” crypto arbitrage, franchise income, casino profits, forex, or guaranteed investment returns, report to the SEC. The SEC’s iMessage system is its web-based platform for public inquiries, complaints, incidents, and requests, and it generates an electronic ticket for tracking. (Securities and Exchange Commission)

A common mistake is assuming that “SEC registered” means “authorized to take investments.” SEC registration as a corporation is not the same as authority to solicit investments from the public. Investment offers may require registration or exemption under the Securities Regulation Code, and RA 11765 also penalizes investment fraud. (Lawphil)

For SEC complaints, include:

Name of the company, group, page, app, or platform.
SEC registration number, if advertised.
Names of officers, recruiters, uplines, agents, or “coaches.”
Screenshots of promised returns.
Proof of deposits or crypto transfers.
Contracts, receipts, certificates, dashboards, or account statements.
Group chat messages showing solicitation.
List of other victims, if available.

Is barangay blotter required before filing a scam complaint?

Usually, no. A barangay blotter may help document an incident, but it is not a substitute for a criminal complaint, cybercrime report, or prosecutor filing.

Barangay conciliation is also not required for many scam cases. Under the Katarungang Pambarangay rules, offenses punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year or a fine exceeding ₱5,000 are outside mandatory barangay conciliation. (Lawphil)

Barangay action may be useful only when:

The scammer is personally known to you.
Both parties live in the same city or municipality covered by barangay conciliation rules.
The issue is a small private dispute that may still be settled.
You need an incident record for documentation.

For online scams, fake identities, unknown suspects, investment scams, and bank or e-wallet fraud, go directly to the relevant law-enforcement or regulatory agency.

Step-by-step guide to filing a strong scam complaint

Step 1: Make a one-page timeline

Write the timeline before drafting your affidavit. Use dates and amounts.

Example:

Date	What happened	Evidence
May 3, 2026	Saw Facebook ad for discounted phone	Screenshot A
May 4, 2026	Seller confirmed item and gave GCash number	Screenshot B
May 4, 2026	Sent ₱12,500 to GCash account	Receipt C
May 5, 2026	Seller promised delivery via courier	Chat D
May 7, 2026	Seller blocked complainant	Screenshot E

This helps the investigator or prosecutor understand your case quickly.

Step 2: Secure platform evidence

For Facebook, Marketplace, Instagram, Telegram, TikTok, WhatsApp, Viber, websites, or apps:

Save the profile URL or page link.
Screenshot the account name and username.
Capture the date and time of chats.
Export or back up chat history if the platform allows it.
Save voice notes, videos, photos, and files.
Preserve email headers if phishing was done by email.

Step 3: Secure financial evidence

For payments:

Download official receipts from the bank or e-wallet app.
Save reference numbers.
Get account names and account numbers used by the recipient.
Request a complaint or dispute ticket from your financial provider.
Keep proof of failed refund demands.

Step 4: Draft and notarize a complaint-affidavit

A complaint-affidavit is your sworn written statement. It should be factual, chronological, and specific. Avoid emotional accusations that are not supported by documents. Use annex labels such as Annex “A,” Annex “B,” and so on.

A simple structure is:

Personal details of complainant.
How you encountered the scammer.
What the scammer promised or represented.
How payment was made.
What happened after payment.
Why you believe the act was fraudulent.
List of evidence.
Request for investigation and filing of appropriate charges.

If you are filing with PNP, NBI, or the prosecutor, ask the receiving office how many copies they require because local practice varies.

Step 5: File with the correct office

Choose based on your case:

Online scam with unknown identity: CICC 1326, PNP ACG, or NBI Cybercrime Division.
Known person who deceived you: Police, NBI, or prosecutor’s office.
Online seller or merchant dispute: DTI CARe, plus cybercrime report if fake identity or fraud is clear.
Bank or e-wallet unauthorized transfer: Bank/e-wallet first, then BSP if unresolved, plus PNP/NBI for criminal aspects.
Investment scam: SEC, PNP/NBI, and prosecutor.
Personal data misuse: NPC may be relevant, especially if IDs, personal data, or account credentials were misused.

Step 6: Get a receiving copy, reference number, or docket number

Always keep proof that you filed. Ask for:

Police blotter or complaint reference.
NBI complaint reference or receiving copy.
Prosecutor docket number.
DTI CARe reference.
BSP complaint reference.
SEC iMessage ticket number.
Bank or e-wallet dispute ticket.

This matters for follow-ups and for showing that you acted promptly.

What happens after filing?

The process depends on the agency.

For PNP or NBI

The investigator may interview you, review your evidence, ask you to execute a sworn statement, request more documents, coordinate with financial institutions or platforms, and prepare a referral to the prosecutor if the evidence supports criminal charges.

For cybercrime cases, law enforcement may need court-issued cybercrime warrants for disclosure, search, seizure, examination, or other handling of computer data. The Supreme Court’s Rule on Cybercrime Warrants governs these procedures. (Office of the Court Administrator)

For the prosecutor

The prosecutor may issue a subpoena to the respondent if identified, require a counter-affidavit, evaluate the evidence, and either dismiss the complaint or file an Information in court. Under updated DOJ rules, e-filing and virtual preliminary investigation hearings may be available as alternatives in some prosecution offices. (Global Litigation News)

For DTI

DTI usually focuses on consumer redress such as refund, replacement, repair, or settlement. It is not the same as a criminal prosecution for estafa. If DTI discovers facts suggesting criminal fraud, you may still need to file separately with law enforcement or the prosecutor.

For BSP

BSP handles complaints involving BSP-supervised financial institutions. It generally expects the consumer to first report to the bank, e-wallet issuer, money service business, or other financial institution’s consumer assistance mechanism before escalating to BSP. (Bureau of the Treasury)

For SEC

SEC may evaluate whether the entity or persons engaged in unauthorized investment solicitation, securities violations, or investment fraud. SEC action may lead to advisories, cease-and-desist proceedings, administrative sanctions, or referral for criminal action, depending on the evidence and applicable law.

Can you recover the money?

Recovery is possible in some cases, but it is not automatic.

The chance of recovery is higher when:

You reported within hours or a few days.
The recipient account has not been emptied.
The bank or e-wallet can still freeze or hold funds.
The scammer used a traceable account.
Multiple victims report the same account or scheme.
The suspect is identified and has attachable assets.

Recovery is harder when:

Funds moved through mule accounts.
Money was withdrawn in cash quickly.
Crypto was transferred to private wallets.
The scammer is abroad.
The platform or account has been deleted.
The complaint is filed months later without preserved evidence.

A criminal case may include civil liability, meaning the court can order restitution or damages if there is conviction. Separately, a victim may consider a civil action for recovery of money or damages. For claims that are purely civil and within the threshold, small claims may be available for money claims not exceeding ₱1,000,000, exclusive of interest and costs. (Supreme Court of the Philippines)

Common mistakes that weaken scam complaints

Deleting the conversation

Victims sometimes delete chats out of anger or shame. Do not delete them. Investigators need the original thread, not only selected screenshots.

Sending only cropped screenshots

A cropped image that hides the username, URL, date, and time is weaker. Capture the whole screen when possible.

Failing to prove payment

The strongest scam complaints connect the deception to the transfer of money. A conversation alone is often not enough. Attach receipts, reference numbers, account names, and transaction confirmations.

Filing only a social media report

Reporting a Facebook page, TikTok account, Telegram channel, or marketplace seller is useful, but it is not the same as filing with law enforcement, DTI, SEC, BSP, or the prosecutor.

Assuming a barangay blotter is enough

A blotter records an incident. It does not usually trigger cyber tracing, preservation requests, subpoenas, or prosecution.

Waiting too long

Digital evidence disappears quickly. Accounts are renamed, pages are deleted, funds are moved, and service-provider data may become harder to obtain over time.

Special notes for OFWs and foreigners

If you are outside the Philippines, you can still prepare a complaint. The practical challenge is authentication of documents and personal appearance.

For affidavits, special powers of attorney, and other documents signed abroad, ask the receiving Philippine office what form they will accept. If the document is executed before a foreign notary and will be used in the Philippines, authentication may depend on whether the country is part of the Apostille system. DFA guidance states that foreign documents for use in the Philippines should be attested first by the relevant authority, and DFA also clarifies that apostillization by DFA applies to Philippine public documents for use abroad. (Apostille Government Website)

Practical options include:

Executing the affidavit before a Philippine Embassy or Consulate, if available.
Signing before a foreign notary and obtaining an apostille, if the country participates in the Apostille Convention.
Appointing a trusted representative in the Philippines through a Special Power of Attorney.
Coordinating with the investigator or prosecutor on whether remote submission or later personal appearance is acceptable.

Foreigners who were scammed by persons in the Philippines should preserve passport identification pages, proof of remittance, chats, platform links, and any Philippine bank, e-wallet, or mobile numbers used by the scammer. If the money was sent from abroad, keep wire transfer records and the receiving Philippine account details.

Documents checklist

Document	Why it matters
Valid government ID or passport	Proves identity of complainant
Complaint-affidavit	Main sworn statement of facts
Timeline of events	Helps investigator understand sequence
Screenshots of chats	Shows promises, deception, demands, admissions
Profile links and URLs	Helps trace accounts and preserve online evidence
Proof of payment	Connects scam to actual loss
Bank/e-wallet dispute ticket	Shows prompt reporting to financial institution
Demand for refund, if any	Shows scammer refused or disappeared
Witness affidavits	Supports recruitment, solicitation, or delivery facts
Device used in transaction	May be needed for examination in cybercrime cases
SEC/DTI/BSP/CICC ticket number	Helps coordinate multiple reports

Practical timelines

Stage	Typical practical timing
Bank/e-wallet report	Same day, ideally within hours
CICC 1326 report	Same day for online scams
PNP/NBI initial complaint	Same day to a few days after organizing evidence
Complaint-affidavit preparation	1–3 days if documents are complete
Prosecutor preliminary investigation	Often weeks to months, depending on docket, respondent identification, and complexity
DTI mediation/consumer handling	Varies by caseload and whether respondent participates
SEC/BSP regulatory handling	Varies by complexity, institution response, and supporting documents
Court case after filing of Information	Can take months to years depending on court docket, evidence, witnesses, and accused’s participation

Timelines vary widely. A simple online seller dispute with an identifiable merchant may move faster than a cross-border investment scam using crypto, fake IDs, and multiple mule accounts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I report an online scammer in the Philippines?

For online scams, report immediately to Hotline 1326, then file with the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group or NBI Cybercrime Division if you want a formal law-enforcement investigation. If money passed through a bank or e-wallet, report to the financial institution immediately as well.

Can I file a complaint even if I only know the scammer’s Facebook account or phone number?

Yes. Many cybercrime complaints start with usernames, profile links, mobile numbers, e-wallet numbers, bank account names, or email addresses. Investigators may need these details to request records through lawful procedures.

Is a scam complaint filed with PNP or NBI free?

NBI states that assistance and services rendered to the public are free of charge, and its Cybercrime Division Citizen’s Charter lists no fees for the initial investigative assistance steps. (National Bureau of Investigation)

Should I file with DTI or NBI for an online seller scam?

File with DTI if the seller is a merchant or business and the issue involves consumer redress such as refund, replacement, or non-delivery. File with PNP or NBI if there is clear fraud, fake identity, multiple victims, deleted accounts, or use of mule accounts.

What if the scammer used GCash, Maya, or a bank account?

Report immediately to the e-wallet provider or bank and ask for a ticket number. Then report to CICC, PNP, or NBI. If your complaint against a BSP-supervised financial institution remains unresolved, escalate through BSP’s consumer assistance channels. (Bureau of the Treasury)

Can I file estafa if the scam happened online?

Yes. Online scams may involve estafa under Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code and cybercrime-related offenses under RA 10175, depending on the facts. The online method does not prevent an estafa complaint.

How much money must be lost before I can file a complaint?

There is no practical minimum amount for reporting a scam. Even small amounts can matter, especially if the same account victimized many people. The amount affects penalties, venue, strategy, and whether a civil small claims case is practical.

Can I recover money through a criminal complaint?

A criminal case may include civil liability, but recovery depends on whether funds or assets can be traced, frozen, returned, or later ordered as restitution. Immediate reporting to banks, e-wallets, and law enforcement improves the chance of recovery.

What if the scammer is abroad?

You may still report in the Philippines if the victim, account, transaction, platform activity, or damage has a Philippine connection. Cross-border cases are harder and slower because investigators may need platform records, bank coordination, mutual legal assistance, or foreign law-enforcement cooperation.

Do I need a lawyer to file a scam complaint?

For the initial report to CICC, PNP, NBI, DTI, BSP, or SEC, you can usually file personally. A carefully prepared complaint-affidavit and complete evidence are often more important at the first stage than legal labels.

Key Takeaways

Preserve chats, links, screenshots, receipts, and account details before the scammer deletes them.
Report bank and e-wallet fraud to the financial institution immediately, then escalate if unresolved.
Use Hotline 1326 for urgent online scam reporting.
File with PNP ACG or NBI Cybercrime Division for online scams, identity theft, phishing, and cyber-enabled fraud.
File with the prosecutor when you are ready to pursue criminal charges and have a complaint-affidavit with supporting evidence.
Use DTI for consumer and online seller disputes, SEC for investment scams, and BSP for unresolved complaints against supervised financial institutions.
A barangay blotter is not usually enough and is often not required for serious scam or cybercrime complaints.
Strong scam complaints are chronological, specific, evidence-based, and supported by proof of payment.