In the Philippines, the rise of financial technology has unfortunately been mirrored by a surge in sophisticated online investment scams. These schemes—often taking the form of "Ponzi" or "pyramid" schemes, fake cryptocurrency platforms, or "boiler room" operations—violate several Philippine laws, most notably the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 (Republic Act No. 10175) and the Securities Regulation Code (Republic Act No. 8799).

Victims of such fraudulent activities have two primary law enforcement avenues for redress: the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

I. Understanding the Legal Framework

Before filing a report, it is essential to identify the specific nature of the crime. Online investment scams are generally prosecuted under:

RA 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act): Specifically for "Computer-related Fraud" (Section 4(b)(2)).
RA 8799 (Securities Regulation Code): For selling securities without a permit or license from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code: Regarding Estafa (Swindling). When committed via the internet, the penalty is increased by one degree under the Cybercrime Law.

II. Reporting to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)

The NBI’s Cybercrime Division (CCD) is the specialized unit tasked with investigating high-tech financial crimes.

Submission Methods

Walk-in: Visit the NBI Headquarters (V-Tech Tower, G. Araneta Ave, Quezon City) or the nearest NBI Regional Office.
Online Portal: Use the NBI Cybercrime Report portal via their official website.
Email: Send a formal complaint to ccd@nbi.gov.ph.

Required Documentation

To ensure the NBI can build a viable case, you must provide:

A Detailed Sworn Statement: A chronological narrative of how the scam occurred.
Screenshots: Evidence of the website/app, social media profiles of the scammers, and all conversations (Messenger, Telegram, WhatsApp).
Proof of Transaction: Deposit slips, screenshots of GCash/Maya transfers, bank statements, or cryptocurrency wallet addresses.
Link/URL: The specific URLs used by the scammers.

III. Reporting to the Philippine National Police (PNP)

The PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) maintains "Cyber Cells" across various provinces and cities.

Reporting Process

Complaint Desk: Proceed to the PNP-ACG office at Camp Crame, Quezon City, or any Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit (RACU).
E-Complaint: Victims can initiate the process through the PNP-ACG website or the "i-Gara" mobile application.
Interview: A cyber-investigator will conduct an initial interview to determine if the elements of a cybercrime are present.

The Role of the Blotter

While a police blotter is a record of the event, it is not a formal criminal complaint. You must insist on filing a formal complaint-affidavit to initiate a preliminary investigation by the prosecutor’s office.

IV. Critical Evidence Preservation (The Digital Trail)

The success of a prosecution hinges on the integrity of the digital evidence.

Do Not Delete: Avoid deleting any chat threads, even if they are distressing.
Metadata: If possible, save the "Header" information of emails received from the scammers.
Public Warning: Report the scammer's accounts to the platforms they used (e.g., Facebook, Telegram) to prevent further victims, but only after you have taken screenshots for evidence.

V. Coordination with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)

While the NBI and PNP handle the criminal investigation (arrests and prosecution), the SEC Enforcement and Investor Protection Department (EIPD) is the regulatory body that issues "Cease and Desist Orders" (CDO) against fraudulent entities.

Victims are strongly advised to email epd@sec.gov.ph to verify if the entity is licensed to solicit investments. If the entity is not registered, the SEC can file separate charges for violations of the Securities Regulation Code.

VI. Summary Table: Where to Go

Agency	Best For	Contact Method
NBI-CCD	Complex financial investigations and tracking digital footprints.	`ccd@nbi.gov.ph`
PNP-ACG	Immediate local response and filing of criminal charges.	`acg.pnp.gov.ph`
SEC-EIPD	Verifying licenses and stopping illegal investment schemes.	`epd@sec.gov.ph`

VII. Vital Legal Reminder

In the Philippines, "Investment" requires a secondary license from the SEC. A mere "Business Permit" or "DTI Registration" does not authorize a company to solicit investments from the public. If an entity promises "guaranteed returns" with "little to no risk" without an SEC secondary license, it is prima facie evidence of a scam.