How to Secure a Police Report When You Are a Scam Victim in the Philippines
(A practical legal guide, updated July 2025)
1. Why a Police Report Matters
| Purpose | Practical Value |
|---|---|
| Freeze or recover funds | Banks, e‑wallets (GCash, Maya) and credit‑card issuers usually require an official police report before they can initiate a provisional credit, perform a charge‑back, or trace transfers. |
| Start a criminal case | Prosecutors and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) need a police blotter entry or investigation report as the foundation for filing an inquest or regular information in court. |
| Support civil or insurance claims | Insurers, e‑commerce platforms, and logistics providers often treat the police report as proof that the loss was not self‑inflicted. |
| Beat prescription periods | For estafa and most cybercrimes, the ten‑year prescriptive period starts to run from discovery. A prompt police report is strong evidence of the exact discovery date. |
2. Legal Bases You Can Invoke
| Scenario | Key Offense | Primary Statute & Penalty Range |
|---|---|---|
| Classic investment, love‑scam, or double‑sale | Estafa | Revised Penal Code (RPC) Art. 315; prisión correccional to reclusión temporal depending on amount defrauded |
| Stolen or cloned ATM/credit card | Access‑device fraud | R.A. 8484; up to 20 years & fine = value defrauded x2 |
| Online phishing, fake shop, payment‑switch | Computer‑related fraud | R.A. 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act), Sec. 6 raises penalty one degree higher than estafa |
| SIM‑based mule accounts | SIM Registration violations | R.A. 11934; fine up to ₱300,000 &/or imprisonment up to 2 years |
| Unauthorized transfer from e‑wallet/bank app | Qualified theft via computer system | RPC Art. 310 in relation to R.A. 10175 |
3. Where to File
Nearest Philippine National Police (PNP) Station – always available, 24/7.
PNP Anti‑Cybercrime Group (ACG) – best for online fraud; regional ACG desks exist in every Police Regional Office (PRO).
NBI – Cybercrime Division – alternative if the scammer is outside your city/province or if large sums/ syndicates are involved.
Barangay Hall (optional but strategic) – a barangay blotter adds another contemporaneous record and is often quicker.
Online portals
- PNP ACG: https://acg.pnp.gov.ph/eComplaint (accepts evidence uploads).
- NBI E‑Complaints: https://nbi.gov.ph/ → “File a Complaint”. (You can still request a physical report afterwards.)
Tip: Even if you file online, personally visit the unit later to obtain a certified true copy bearing the station seal.
4. Step‑by‑Step Procedure (Walk‑in)
| Step | What to Do | What to Bring |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Compile evidence | Screenshots of chats, emails, SMS; transaction receipts; bank/GCash statement; tracking numbers; photo of item received (if any). Print and also store on USB or phone. |
| 2 | Prepare identification | Government‑issued ID (passport, driver’s license, PhilSys, UMID, etc.). If filing for a minor or elderly, bring SPA or proof of guardianship. |
| 3 | Draft or request help drafting a Complaint‑Affidavit | A sworn statement narrating: (a) how you were contacted, (b) what representations were made, (c) payments sent, (d) how you discovered the fraud, (e) amount lost, (f) relief sought. Use numbered paragraphs; attach evidence as Annex “A”, “B”… |
| 4 | Proceed to the Desk Officer | Tell the officer you need a blotter entry and an Investigation Report for estafa / cybercrime. He logs the incident in the police blotter and assigns a case reference number (e.g., “IBP‑#‑YY‑####”). |
| 5 | Sign the Sworn Statement before the investigator | The investigator (or the in‑house notary on duty) will administer the oath; bring ₱100–₱200 cash for notarization if necessary. |
| 6 | Turn over digital copies | Provide copies of your screenshots/files via email or USB. The officer issues a property/evidence receipt (Chain‑of‑Custody Form). |
| 7 | Request a Certified Copy | Pay certification fee (₱50–₱150) at the Finance/Records window. You will receive: |
- Police Blotter Extract (1–2 pages)
- Initial Investigation Report (if already drafted) | | 8 | Follow‑ups | Get the investigator’s mobile number. Typical follow‑up time is 15 working days; ask for updates on: subpoena to banks, request for CCTV, coordination with telcos, etc. |
5. Requesting Additional or Lost Copies
- Go back to the Records Section of the same station/unit.
- Fill out “Request for Certification/Extraction.”
- Pay reposting fee (₱50–₱100) per copy.
- Pick up on the same day (city stations) or within 3 days (regional units).
- For requests older than 6 months, expect a retrieval fee and a week‑long processing time because records may have been archived.
6. Timelines & Prescription
| Offense | Prescriptive Period | Best Time to Report |
|---|---|---|
| Estafa (ordinary) | 10 years | ASAP; any delay may be used to allege abandonment or condonation. |
| Cyber‑estafa | 15 years (one degree higher) | Within 36 hours ideally to facilitate IP‑address preservation requests. |
| Access‑device fraud | 12 years (special law) | Within 30 days to help banks raise a Regulation N rescue request. |
Under Sec. 13, Rule 110 of the Rules of Criminal Procedure, the prescriptive period is interrupted by filing a complaint with the prosecutor, but a police blotter is still strong evidence of the date of discovery.
7. Using the Police Report
- Bank / E‑wallet Reversal: Attach certified report to your dispute letter.
- Insurance Claim: Submit within 30 days along with proof of ownership and loss.
- Civil Case (e.g., sum of money): The report helps establish fraud and supports an application for attachment or injunction.
- Criminal Prosecution: The prosecutor’s office will subpoena the police investigator to testify; always keep at least two copies sealed.
8. Common Pitfalls
| Pitfall | How to Avoid |
|---|---|
| “I’ll file when I have more evidence.” | File immediately; you can file supplemental affidavits later. Speed is crucial for subpoenas to telcos and banks, which expire after 30 days. |
| Incomplete Screenshots | Capture the URL bar, full conversation, and timestamps; print in color if possible. |
| Giving the only copy of your receipts/phone | Submit photocopies; show originals for comparison. Get an acknowledgment slip before surrendering any device. |
| No notarization | Unsigned or un‑sworn narratives carry little weight; ask the desk officer to administer the oath. |
| Wrong venue | File where any element of the crime occurred or where a computer was used (for cybercrimes). If uncertain, file in your city; PNP‑ACG can re‑assign. |
9. Frequently Asked Questions
| Question | Short Answer |
|---|---|
| Can I authorize someone else to file? | Yes. Provide a Special Power of Attorney (SPA) and copies of your ID. |
| Is an online report enough for banks? | Usually no – banks require a stamped/blottered report. Print the online acknowledgment and bring it to a station for validation. |
| Fees? | Filing is technically free; only certification/notarization fees apply. |
| Language? | You may write the affidavit in English, Filipino, or your local dialect (provide English translation for national units). |
| Lawyer needed? | Not mandatory, but helpful. Duty Desk Officers are trained to assist pro se complainants. |
10. Template: Complaint‑Affidavit Headings
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
CITY/PROVINCE OF _______ ) S.S.
COMPLAINT-AFFIDAVIT FOR ESTAFA / VIOL. RA 10175
I, [Name], Filipino, of legal age, residing at [address], after having been duly sworn, state:
1. That on 14 July 2025, I discovered that…
2. That prior thereto, on 10 July 2025, the respondent, introducing himself as…
3. That relying on said representations, I transferred ₱________ via GCash Ref. No. ______;
4. That thereafter…
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this ___ day of _______, 2025 at ________ City.
_____________________
Complainant
SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN …Copy, paste, and adjust the facts to your situation.
Key Takeaways
- Act fast – same‑day reporting improves your recovery odds.
- Bring solid evidence – screenshots, receipts, IDs.
- Insist on a certified blotter extract – this is your golden ticket for banks, insurers, and courts.
- Follow up – investigators handle many cases; polite persistence matters.
- Know the law – citing the correct statute (Estafa, R.A. 10175, etc.) guides the officer and speeds endorsement to the right unit.
Stay vigilant, document thoroughly, and use the legal tools available – your police report is the cornerstone of justice and recovery.