When money has just been sent to a scammer’s bank account, e-wallet, or payment account, speed matters. In the Philippines, you do not simply “file a report and wait.” You should immediately report the disputed transaction to your bank or e-wallet provider, request a temporary holding of the funds under the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act, preserve digital evidence, and file the proper cybercrime or fraud complaint with the authorities. This guide explains exactly where to report an online scam, how to ask for a bank account freeze or temporary hold, what documents to prepare, and what usually happens after you file.
What “freezing a scammer’s bank account” really means in the Philippines
People often use the phrase “bank account freeze,” but Philippine law has different mechanisms depending on the situation.
| What people usually mean | Proper legal or practical term | Who can do it | How long it can last |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stop the scammer from withdrawing the transferred money | Temporary holding of disputed funds | Bank, e-wallet, or BSP-supervised financial institution under AFASA rules | Initial holding of up to 5 calendar days; possible extension up to a total of 30 calendar days, unless extended by court |
| Freeze an account because it may involve criminal proceeds or money laundering | AMLC / Court of Appeals freeze order | Anti-Money Laundering Council, through the Court of Appeals | Initially effective for 20 days; may be extended, but total period generally cannot exceed 6 months |
| Stop further unauthorized transfers from your own account | Account blocking, access restriction, card blocking, or account security hold | Your own bank or e-wallet provider | Depends on the provider’s fraud procedures |
| Recover money after it has been withdrawn or moved | Criminal restitution, civil recovery, or return after coordinated verification | Court, prosecutor, bank process, or settlement depending on facts | Varies widely |
For most scam victims, the most urgent remedy is the temporary holding of disputed funds under Republic Act No. 12010, the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act (AFASA). Under AFASA and BSP Circular No. 1215, banks, e-wallet issuers, and other BSP-supervised institutions may temporarily hold funds subject of a disputed transaction when there are reasonable grounds to believe the transfer is unusual, has no clear economic purpose, comes from an unlawful activity, or was facilitated by a social engineering scam.
This is why your first report should usually be to your own bank or e-wallet provider, not only to the police. The police report is important, but the bank or e-wallet provider is the one that can immediately start tracing and holding disputed funds within the financial system.
Legal basis for reporting online scams and requesting a bank account freeze
Republic Act No. 12010: Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act
The main law for scam-related financial account abuse is Republic Act No. 12010, the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act, enacted in 2024.
AFASA covers, among others:
- Money muling — using, lending, selling, renting, buying, or allowing the use of a bank account, e-wallet, or financial account to receive or move proceeds of crimes or social engineering schemes.
- Social engineering schemes — deception or fraud used to obtain sensitive information, such as passwords, OTPs, bank details, e-wallet credentials, or other information that allows unauthorized access to a financial account.
- Economic sabotage — serious forms of money muling or social engineering, such as scams involving three or more persons, three or more victims, mass mailers, or human trafficking.
AFASA also allows financial institutions to temporarily hold disputed funds. The BSP’s official compilation, the AFASA booklet with BSP Circulars and implementing rules, explains the temporary holding process and coordinated verification between banks, e-wallet providers, clearing switch operators, and account owners.
Republic Act No. 10175: Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012
Many online scams are also handled under Republic Act No. 10175, the Cybercrime Prevention Act.
A scam may involve cybercrime when the fraudulent act was committed through:
- Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, TikTok, Telegram, WhatsApp, Viber, or other messaging apps;
- fake websites or phishing pages;
- email spoofing;
- online banking or e-wallet takeover;
- fake online stores;
- fraudulent investment platforms;
- crypto or digital asset schemes;
- impersonation of a bank, government office, delivery company, employer, or relative.
Section 6 of RA 10175 is especially important because crimes punishable under the Revised Penal Code or special laws may be treated more seriously when committed by, through, and with the use of information and communications technology.
The Supreme Court’s Rule on Cybercrime Warrants, A.M. No. 17-11-03-SC, governs warrants for disclosure, preservation, search, seizure, and examination of computer data. This matters because investigators may need legal process to obtain subscriber information, login records, IP-related data, or platform records.
Revised Penal Code: Estafa and related offenses
Many online scams are prosecuted as estafa, or swindling, under Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code. Estafa generally involves deceit or abuse of confidence that causes damage to another person.
Common examples include:
- a fake seller who receives payment but never delivers the item;
- a person pretending to be a relative or friend asking for emergency money;
- a fake recruiter demanding placement, processing, or visa fees;
- a fake investment agent promising guaranteed returns;
- a scammer using another person’s identity to borrow money or solicit funds.
Under Article 100 of the Revised Penal Code, a person criminally liable for a felony is also civilly liable. This is why criminal complaints may include a request for restitution or return of the amount lost, although actual recovery depends on whether funds or assets can still be located.
Republic Act No. 9160: Anti-Money Laundering Act
The Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001, Republic Act No. 9160, as amended, is relevant when scam proceeds are being layered, moved, or hidden through bank accounts, e-wallets, crypto channels, businesses, or other assets.
A private complainant usually does not personally file a freeze order case in the Court of Appeals. In money-laundering situations, the AMLC may apply for a freeze order. Under amendments such as Republic Act No. 11521, a Court of Appeals freeze order is generally effective immediately for 20 days and may be extended after summary hearing, but the total period generally cannot exceed six months.
For ordinary scam victims, this means your role is to create a strong, documented record: report to your bank, file a sworn complaint with law enforcement, and provide account numbers, transaction references, and evidence that can support referrals to proper authorities.
Republic Act No. 11765: Financial Products and Services Consumer Protection Act
Banks, e-money issuers, and other BSP-supervised institutions also have consumer protection obligations under Republic Act No. 11765, the Financial Products and Services Consumer Protection Act. The BSP’s consumer assistance rules require consumers to first report concerns to the financial institution’s own complaint mechanism, then escalate unresolved matters to the BSP.
The BSP Consumer Assistance Channels and BSP Online Buddy are especially useful when your bank or e-wallet provider fails to act, refuses to give a case reference number, delays unreasonably, or does not explain the result of its investigation.
What to do in the first hour after discovering the scam
The first hour is critical. Scam funds often move from one account to another within minutes.
Stop communicating with the scammer except to preserve evidence. Do not threaten them, post accusations, or send more money to “unlock” a refund.
Secure your own accounts. Change passwords, revoke unknown devices, enable multi-factor authentication, lower transaction limits, and block cards if needed.
Take screenshots immediately. Capture the profile, chat thread, phone number, account name, bank or e-wallet number, QR code, payment instructions, receipts, transaction reference number, and timestamps.
Download official transaction receipts. Screenshots help, but app-generated receipts, bank confirmations, and email confirmations are stronger.
Call or message your bank or e-wallet provider’s official fraud channel. Use only official hotlines, in-app help channels, or official websites. Do not rely on numbers sent by the scammer.
Ask for a temporary hold under AFASA. Use clear wording: “I am the source account owner. I am reporting a disputed transaction caused by an online scam. Please initiate complaint-initiated temporary holding of disputed funds and coordinated verification under AFASA.”
Get a case reference number. Write down the date, time, name or ID of the agent, case number, and exact instructions given.
Call 1326 for online scam reporting guidance. The Inter-Agency Response Center hotline 1326 is used for online scam reporting and referral. The Scam Watch Pilipinas reporting page also lists alternative I-ARC numbers.
How to request temporary holding of funds from your bank or e-wallet
When reporting to your bank or e-wallet, be direct and organized. The receiving agent may call it “dispute,” “fraud report,” “account hold request,” “recall,” “fund tracing,” “AFASA hold,” or “coordinated verification.”
Information to give your bank or e-wallet
Prepare these details before calling:
| Information | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Your full name and account/mobile number | To verify that you are the source account owner |
| Date and exact time of transfer | Needed to trace the transaction |
| Amount transferred | Determines the disputed funds |
| Transaction reference number | The most important tracing detail |
| Mode of transfer | Instapay, PESONet, QR Ph, bank transfer, e-wallet transfer, card-to-wallet, remittance, etc. |
| Receiving bank, e-wallet, or payment provider | Identifies where to send the hold request |
| Recipient account name and number, if shown | Helps identify beneficiary account |
| Scam narrative | Explains why the transaction is disputed |
| Screenshots and receipts | Supports initial holding and possible extension |
| Police report or affidavit, if already available | Often needed to support extended holding |
Suggested wording for your report
Use simple, specific language:
“I am reporting a disputed transaction due to an online scam. I transferred PHP [amount] on [date and time] from my [bank/e-wallet] account to [receiving bank/e-wallet/account number/account name if available]. The transaction reference number is [reference number]. Please immediately initiate complaint-initiated temporary holding of disputed funds and coordinated verification under Republic Act No. 12010, AFASA, and provide me with a case reference number.”
If the money was moved to another bank or e-wallet, ask:
“Please confirm whether an initial holding request has been transmitted to the receiving financial institution and any subsequent receiving financial institution identified in the transaction chain.”
If the agent says they cannot “freeze” the account, clarify:
“I understand that I am requesting temporary holding of the disputed funds, not an unlimited account freeze. Please process this as a disputed transaction under your AFASA fraud reporting procedure.”
How the AFASA temporary holding process works
Under BSP Circular No. 1215, a complaint-initiated holding starts when the source account owner reports the disputed transaction through the originating financial institution’s 24/7 fraud reporting channel.
In practical terms:
- You report the scam to your bank or e-wallet.
- Your bank verifies your identity.
- Your bank prepares a disputed transaction report.
- If funds are still within the system, the funds may be initially held for up to 5 calendar days.
- If funds were transferred onward, your bank sends an initial holding request to the receiving institution and any subsequent institution in the chain.
- The receiving institution checks whether funds are still intact, withdrawn, or transferred again.
- You must submit supporting documents within the initial holding period if extended holding is needed.
- The initial hold may be extended by up to 25 more calendar days, for a total of up to 30 calendar days, unless a court extends it.
- Banks conduct coordinated verification to determine whether the transaction is legitimate or likely connected to money muling, social engineering, unlawful activity, or an illegal source.
- Funds may be returned to the source account owner if the rules allow, or released to the beneficiary account owner if the transaction is validated as legitimate or the holding period lapses without legal basis to continue.
A very important point: temporary holding applies only to funds that can still be traced and held. If the scammer has already withdrawn the money in cash, transferred it abroad, used it to buy crypto, or passed it through several mule accounts, the bank may not be able to recover it through the holding process alone.
Documents to prepare
A strong complaint is factual, chronological, and supported by documents. Avoid long emotional statements. Investigators and bank fraud teams need verifiable details.
| Document or evidence | Practical notes |
|---|---|
| Valid government ID | Passport, driver’s license, UMID, national ID, PRC ID, postal ID, or other accepted ID |
| Transaction receipt | Download the official receipt from the banking or e-wallet app |
| Screenshots of chat messages | Include dates, times, profile name, phone number, and payment instructions |
| Screenshot of scammer profile or page | Capture URL, username, display name, photos, and public details |
| Bank or e-wallet account details of recipient | Account number, account name, mobile number, QR code, or merchant ID |
| Complaint narrative | A timeline: how contact started, what was promised, why you sent money, what happened after |
| Sworn affidavit or complaint-affidavit | Often needed for police, NBI, PNP ACG, and extended holding requests |
| Police report, cybercrime report, or blotter | Helpful for bank escalation, but a blotter alone is usually not enough |
| Proof of ownership of your account | Account statement, registered mobile number, email confirmation, or app profile page |
| Other victims’ details, if any | Useful if the scam involves multiple victims or economic sabotage |
| Platform reports | Proof that you reported the fake page, seller, or account to Facebook, TikTok, Telegram, Shopee, Lazada, etc. |
For a sworn affidavit, state facts in order:
- Who you are.
- How the scammer contacted you.
- What representation or promise was made.
- How much you sent.
- When and where you sent it.
- Which account received it.
- What happened after payment.
- What documents are attached.
- What action you are requesting.
If you are abroad, your affidavit may need notarization at a Philippine Embassy or Consulate, or notarization abroad followed by apostille, depending on where it will be used and what the receiving office requires.
Where to report an online scam in the Philippines
Different offices handle different parts of the problem. Reporting to one office does not automatically solve everything.
| Office or institution | Best for | Practical purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Your bank or e-wallet provider | Immediate disputed transaction report | Temporary holding, account blocking, transaction tracing, case reference |
| Receiving bank or e-wallet provider | Notice that its customer account received scam funds | May coordinate with your own bank, but many institutions require the source bank to initiate the formal request |
| PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group | Online fraud, phishing, impersonation, social media scams, cyber-enabled estafa | Criminal investigation and cybercrime complaint |
| NBI Cybercrime Division | Online scams, identity misuse, organized fraud, digital evidence cases | Criminal investigation and possible referral for prosecution |
| CICC / 1326 | Online scam reporting and inter-agency guidance | Fast reporting channel and referral support |
| BSP Consumer Assistance | Unresolved complaint against a bank, e-wallet, or BSP-supervised institution | Escalation when the provider fails to act properly |
| SEC | Investment scams, Ponzi schemes, fake lending/financing companies, unauthorized securities solicitation | Regulatory action, advisories, enforcement |
| DTI or platform dispute channel | Online shopping or seller disputes | Consumer complaint or marketplace remedy, especially where the issue is seller non-delivery rather than organized cyber fraud |
Reporting to PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group
The PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group handles cyber-related crimes and online scam complaints. You may use the PNP ACG eComplaint portal or file in person with a PNP ACG office.
Bring or prepare:
- valid ID;
- printed and digital copies of screenshots;
- transaction receipts;
- account details of the recipient;
- complaint-affidavit, if already prepared;
- phone used in the transaction, if relevant;
- URLs, usernames, email addresses, and phone numbers;
- your bank or e-wallet case reference number.
If you first go to a regular police station, ask whether your complaint will be referred to the cybercrime unit. For online scams, ordinary blotter entries may not be enough for cybercrime evidence preservation or platform-related requests.
Reporting to the NBI
The National Bureau of Investigation also receives cybercrime complaints. The official NBI report page provides access to NBI reporting channels and office information.
NBI may be especially helpful when:
- the scam involves multiple victims;
- the amount is substantial;
- the scammer used fake IDs or identity theft;
- the scam involves organized groups;
- you need cybercrime investigation beyond a simple bank dispute;
- evidence may require technical handling.
Reporting through 1326 and CICC-related channels
For quick reporting of online scams, victims may call 1326, the Inter-Agency Response Center hotline. The Scam Watch Pilipinas report page lists 1326 and alternative I-ARC numbers for Smart, Globe, and DITO users.
This is useful for:
- phishing links;
- scam text messages;
- fake online sellers;
- impersonation scams;
- suspicious calls;
- romance or love scams;
- investment fraud leads;
- urgent reporting guidance.
For scam SMS, the eGov app’s eReport feature has also been used for reporting suspicious messages and numbers.
Escalating to the BSP when the bank or e-wallet does not act
The BSP is not a substitute for your first fraud report to the bank. Under BSP consumer complaint rules, the financial institution’s own Financial Consumer Protection Assistance Mechanism is the first-level recourse. The BSP Consumer Assistance Mechanism is usually the second-level recourse.
Escalate to BSP when:
- the bank or e-wallet refuses to receive your fraud report;
- no case reference number is given;
- you receive no meaningful update;
- the provider fails to explain whether a hold request was sent;
- your complaint is closed without addressing the evidence;
- you believe the provider failed to follow AFASA or BSP consumer protection rules.
You can file through the BSP Consumer Assistance Channels and BSP Online Buddy. Attach your bank complaint, case number, receipts, screenshots, and the provider’s response.
Typical timelines
| Stage | Typical timing | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Report to your bank or e-wallet | Immediately, ideally within minutes or hours | The faster you report, the higher the chance funds are still traceable |
| Initial temporary holding | Up to 5 calendar days | Applies if disputed funds can be identified and held |
| Submission of supporting documents | Within the initial holding period | Submit sworn complaint, affidavit, police report, or other documents as soon as possible |
| Extended temporary holding | Additional period of up to 25 calendar days | Total temporary holding is generally up to 30 calendar days unless extended by court |
| Coordinated verification if funds are held | Within the 30-calendar-day holding period | Banks verify whether the transaction is legitimate or likely scam-related |
| Coordinated verification if no funds are held | Usually within 30 calendar days; may extend up to 60 calendar days for meritorious reasons | This may still help trace the chain but may not recover money |
| BSP Consumer Assistance process | Often around 55 to 65 days from receipt to termination | Applies to escalated complaints against BSP-supervised institutions |
| Court of Appeals AMLC freeze order | Initial 20 days, possible extension up to 6 months total | This is a separate AMLA remedy, not an ordinary bank customer request |
Common mistakes that reduce the chance of recovery
Waiting for the scammer to “refund” the money
Scammers often buy time by saying there is a processing delay, tax, customs fee, verification fee, unlocking fee, or refund charge. This delay helps them withdraw or move the money. Report first; negotiate later only if authorities or your bank instruct you.
Reporting only to Facebook or the platform
Platform reports may remove the account or page, but they do not automatically hold bank funds. You still need to report to your bank, e-wallet, PNP ACG, NBI, or other relevant office.
Filing only a barangay blotter
A barangay blotter may record what happened, but online scams often require cybercrime handling, transaction tracing, and possibly bank-to-bank coordination. For bank holding and law enforcement purposes, a sworn complaint, police report, PNP ACG report, or NBI complaint is usually more useful.
Sending incomplete transaction details
“Please freeze this scammer” is not enough. Banks need transaction reference numbers, amount, date, time, source account, receiving institution, and account details. A missing reference number can slow everything down.
Assuming the account name is the real scammer
Many scam accounts are mule accounts. The account owner may be a paid mule, a recruited victim, a fake identity, or someone whose account was compromised. Still report the account, but avoid public accusations without verified facts.
Posting the recipient’s full account number publicly
It is understandable to warn others, but public posting can create privacy, defamation, or investigation issues. Preserve evidence and submit it to banks and authorities. If warning the public, avoid unnecessary personal data exposure.
Filing multiple inconsistent narratives
It is fine to report to several offices, but keep your facts consistent. Use one timeline and one evidence folder. Conflicting dates, amounts, or explanations can slow verification.
What happens if the money is still in the scammer’s account?
If the disputed funds are successfully held and coordinated verification supports your claim, the funds may be returned through the bank process. Under BSP rules, if the totality of information indicates that the funds are derived from money muling, unlawful activity, illegal sources, social engineering, or similar grounds, the institution holding the funds may return the equivalent amount to the source account owner through the source financial institution.
However, the beneficiary account owner also has rights. The bank must notify affected account owners and give the beneficiary account owner a chance to challenge the holding or substantiate the legitimacy of the transaction. This protects legitimate transactions from malicious or mistaken reports.
This is why supporting documents matter. A clear affidavit, screenshots, and police report can help justify extended holding and final action.
What happens if the money has already been withdrawn?
If funds were withdrawn before the hold request reached the receiving institution, the bank may not be able to return money through AFASA temporary holding. But the report is still important because it can:
- identify the receiving account;
- show the movement of funds;
- support closure or investigation of mule accounts;
- help law enforcement build a case;
- support AMLC or prosecutorial action in larger cases;
- support civil or criminal recovery later.
In some cases, investigators may still trace subsequent transfers. But if the funds were cashed out, converted to crypto, or moved through several accounts, recovery becomes more difficult.
Special situations
If you sent money from abroad to a Philippine account
If you are an OFW, foreigner, or overseas victim who sent money to a Philippine bank or e-wallet:
- report immediately to the foreign bank, remittance company, card issuer, or payment platform you used;
- ask whether a recall, fraud notice, or receiving-bank alert can be sent;
- report to the Philippine receiving bank if you have its details, but expect that it may require coordination from the source institution;
- file with PNP ACG, NBI, or 1326 if the scammer, receiving account, or victim impact is connected to the Philippines;
- prepare a notarized affidavit; if executed abroad, ask whether consular notarization or apostille is required.
Cross-border recovery is slower because Philippine banks may need formal requests, and foreign platforms may require their own fraud investigation.
If the scam involves GCash, Maya, or another e-wallet
E-wallet scams should be reported through the provider’s official in-app help or fraud channel. Save the mobile number, wallet name, QR code, reference number, and transaction receipt. If money moved from your bank to an e-wallet, report to both your bank and the e-wallet provider.
E-wallets and payment providers under BSP supervision are covered by consumer protection rules and, where applicable, AFASA temporary holding rules.
If the scam is an investment scheme
For fake investments, guaranteed-profit schemes, crypto investment groups, “tasking” scams, forex schemes, and Ponzi-type solicitations, report not only to the bank and cybercrime authorities but also to the Securities and Exchange Commission. The SEC has an online complaint portal through SEC iMessage.
Remember: SEC registration as a corporation does not automatically mean the company is authorized to solicit investments. Investment-taking usually requires proper authority under securities laws and SEC regulations.
If the scammer used a fake government, bank, or company identity
Report the impersonation to the real institution as well. Banks, government offices, delivery companies, and platforms often maintain internal fraud teams that can help take down fake pages or warn the public.
If a SIM number was used, preserve the number, message headers, links, and call logs. Do not delete the SMS thread.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I personally ask a Philippine bank to freeze someone else’s account?
You can report the receiving account and request action, but the bank will usually process it as a disputed transaction or fraud report, not as a simple private request to freeze another person’s account. Under AFASA, the proper immediate remedy is temporary holding of disputed funds through the financial institution’s fraud reporting process. A broader freeze order usually requires legal authority, such as an AMLC application before the Court of Appeals.
How fast should I report an online scam to the bank?
Immediately. Report within minutes if possible. Scam proceeds can be withdrawn, transferred, or converted quickly. Under AFASA rules, initial holding can work only if disputed funds are still traceable and capable of being held within the financial system.
Is a police report required before the bank can hold the money?
Not always for the initial report. AFASA allows complaint-initiated holding based on a complaint from the source account owner, subject to the bank’s verification and procedures. However, for extended holding, supporting documents such as a sworn complaint, affidavit, police report, or similar documents may be required within the initial holding period.
Can I recover money from an online scam in the Philippines?
Yes, but recovery is not automatic. If funds are still in the receiving account or traceable within participating financial institutions, temporary holding and coordinated verification may lead to return of funds. If the money was withdrawn or moved beyond reach, recovery may require criminal prosecution, restitution, civil action, settlement, or further asset tracing.
Should I report to PNP ACG or NBI?
Either may handle cybercrime complaints. PNP ACG is the police unit focused on cybercrime enforcement, while the NBI also investigates cybercrime and fraud cases. Choose the office that is accessible and appropriate for your case. For urgent fund holding, do not wait for law enforcement before reporting to your bank or e-wallet.
What if the bank says the transaction was “authorized” because I sent the money myself?
Even if you personally clicked send, the transaction may still be disputed if it was induced by fraud, deception, impersonation, phishing, or social engineering. Explain clearly that you are not claiming a mere mistaken transfer; you are reporting a scam-related disputed transaction and requesting AFASA coordinated verification.
Can the bank refuse to freeze or hold the funds?
A bank may refuse, lift, or not extend a hold if the legal and factual requirements are not met, if the funds are no longer there, if the transaction appears legitimate after verification, or if required documents are not submitted. However, if you believe the bank failed to follow proper fraud handling, AFASA, or BSP consumer protection rules, you may escalate to the BSP after filing with the bank’s own complaint mechanism.
What if I mistakenly reported a legitimate transaction as a scam?
Correct the report immediately. AFASA penalizes malicious reporting where a person, with malice or bad faith, files completely unwarranted or false information that results in temporary holding of funds. Honest mistakes should be corrected quickly and documented.
Do screenshots count as evidence?
Yes, screenshots are useful, but they are stronger when supported by official receipts, URLs, account numbers, timestamps, emails, bank statements, device records, and a sworn affidavit. Do not crop screenshots too tightly. Capture the full screen when possible, including dates, usernames, links, and message context.
Can foreigners file online scam complaints in the Philippines?
Yes, if the scam has a Philippine connection, such as a Philippine bank account, Philippine e-wallet, Philippine-based scammer, Philippine platform activity, or victim impact in the Philippines. Foreign complainants should prepare valid identification, transaction records, and a sworn statement. Documents executed abroad may need consular notarization or apostille depending on the receiving agency’s requirements.
Key Takeaways
- Report the scam to your bank or e-wallet immediately and ask for AFASA temporary holding of disputed funds.
- Get a case reference number and submit complete transaction details: amount, date, time, reference number, receiving account, and screenshots.
- Initial holding may last up to 5 calendar days, with possible extension up to a total of 30 calendar days, unless extended by court.
- File a cybercrime or fraud complaint with PNP ACG, NBI, or 1326/CICC-related channels, especially if the scam happened online.
- Escalate to the BSP Consumer Assistance Mechanism if your bank or e-wallet mishandles or ignores your complaint.
- A true AMLA freeze order is different from a bank’s temporary holding process and usually involves the AMLC and the Court of Appeals.
- Recovery is most realistic when you act fast, preserve evidence, and submit a clear sworn complaint with complete transaction records.