How to Report an Online Scam in the Philippines
A comprehensive legal guide (updated July 2025)
1. What Counts as an “Online Scam”?
Any scheme that uses the internet, mobile data, or electronic payment rails to defraud, obtain property, or cause damage by false pretenses—including fake e‑shops, phishing links, romance fraud, investment pyramids, loan‑app “doxxing,” and account takeover—is prosecutable. Whether the fraud happened entirely online or merely used digital tools to complete an otherwise “offline” crime, Philippine law treats it as cyber‑enabled estafa.
2. Core Legal Framework
| Law | Key Offence(s) & Penalties | Practical Use When Reporting |
|---|---|---|
| Revised Penal Code (RPC), Arts. 315 & 318 | Estafa / swindling (up to reclusión temporal + restitution) | Base crime; venue rules follow the cyber overlay in RA 10175. |
| R.A. 8792 (E‑Commerce Act, 2000) | Penalises hacking & electronic evidence tampering | Lets electronic logs/screenshots be admitted as best evidence. |
| R.A. 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act, 2012) | Computer‑related fraud & identity theft (6‑12 yrs; may be one degree higher if RPC acts are done with ICT) | Gives PNP‑ACG & NBI‑CCD search‑seize power; venue anywhere a computer is located. |
| R.A. 8484 (Access Devices Regulation Act) | Credit/debit card & e‑wallet fraud (up to 20 yrs) | Often paired with SIM‑swap/OTP scams. |
| R.A. 7394 (Consumer Act) + R.A. 11765 (Financial Consumer Protection Act, 2022) | Unfair sales acts; duty of banks/e‑money issuers to reimburse unless consumer grossly negligent | Basis for BSP mediation and administrative fines. |
| R.A. 11967 (Internet Transactions Act, 2023) | Creates DTI Bureau of E‑Commerce; mandates E‑Commerce Complaint Portal & escrow rules | Central digital portal for buyers to lodge complaints (phased roll‑out 2024‑2025). |
| R.A. 11934 (SIM Registration Act, 2022) | Criminalises using un‑registered SIMs in fraud (fine + 6 yrs) | Ask police to subpoena SIM data from telcos. |
| R.A. 8799, R.A. 11232, R.A. 9474 | Securities fraud, illegal lending, Ponzi schemes | Reports go to SEC‑EIPD; criminal & civil liability. |
| R.A. 10173 (Data Privacy Act) | Unlawful processing of personal data (1‑6 yrs) | NPC can penalise scam apps that harvest contact lists. |
| R.A. 9160 (AMLA) & R.A. 10365 | Money laundering using mule accounts | AMLC can freeze proceeds within 24 hrs. |
3. Key Agencies & Their Mandates
| Agency | Jurisdiction | Contact & Filing Options (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| PNP Anti‑Cybercrime Group (ACG) | All cybercrimes; emergency takedowns | • E‑blotter: https://acg.pnp.gov.ph/ireport (accepts PDFs, screenshots) • Walk‑in desks at Camp Crame & regional ACG units |
| NBI Cybercrime Division (CCD‑C3) | Complex / syndicated cyber‑fraud; forensics | • Email cybercrime@nbi.gov.ph for Online Complaint Form • Walk‑in: NBI Taft Ave. (24/7 duty fiscal) |
| DTI Bureau of E‑Commerce (BOE) | E‑commerce disputes under RA 11967 | • E‑Commerce Complaint Portal (beta: complaints.dti.gov.ph) • Hotline 1‑DTI (1‑384) |
| Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) – CPMCO | Bank/e‑money issues, unauthorized transfers | • Consumer Assistance Mechanism (CAM): consumeraffairs@bsp.gov.ph • Tel. (02) 5306‑2584 |
| Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC‑EIPD) | Unregistered investments, lending apps | • Online: www.sec.gov.ph/complaints • Walk‑in: SEC HQ, PICC |
| National Privacy Commission (NPC) | Doxxing, unsolicited SMS/email | • portal.privacy.gov.ph -> “File a Complaint” |
| AMLC (through ACG/NBI) | Freezing scam proceeds | • Law‑enforcement referral only |
| Local Prosecutor’s Office (OCP) | Receives sworn affidavit of complaint to commence prosecution | • Filing fee ≈ ₱50; venue flexible under RA 10175 |
4. Before You Report: Evidence Checklist
- Screenshots/Screen‑recordings of webpages, chats, emails (include URL & timestamp).
- Transaction proofs: bank/GCash receipts, reference numbers, wallet addresses.
- Communication logs: phone numbers (with telco), email headers, social‑media handles.
- Identity trail: names, photos, shipping waybills, QR codes, IP addresses if known.
- Chronology: a simple timeline (date/what happened/amount lost).
- Affidavit of loss (if ID/card was compromised) from nearest police station.
Tip: Save evidence in two formats (original + PDF) and on two separate drives/cloud folders to avoid accidental corruption.
5. Step‑by‑Step Reporting Procedures
5.1 Filing with PNP‑ACG
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Go to iReport portal → “File a Complaint.” |
| 2 | Upload ID (any valid gov't ID) + evidence files (max 25 MB each). |
| 3 | Describe incident ➜ be concise but complete. |
| 4 | Receive Case Reference No. (CRN) in email/SMS. |
| 5 | Within 5 days an investigator will call; be ready to execute a Sworn Statement (via e‑notary or in person). |
5.2 Filing with NBI‑CCD
- Download the Cybercrime Complaint Form (C3‑Form‑2025).
- Email completed PDF + scanned ID to cybercrime@nbi.gov.ph (subject: “ONLINE SCAM – [Your Surname]”).
- Wait for scheduling—NBI will assign an agent and may request physical submission of USB drive containing logs.
5.3 Bank or E‑Wallet Unauthorized Transfer
- Notify your bank/e‑wallet within 15 calendar days (RA 11765).
- If unresolved after 10 business days or you receive an unsatisfactory reply, escalate to BSP via CAM: consumeraffairs@bsp.gov.ph (attach bank ticket number).
- BSP may mediate; banks now have 7 days to credit back if proven system‑lapse, 14 days if third‑party fraud pending investigation.
5.4 Investment or Lending App Fraud
- File SEC Online Complaint ➜ choose “Enforcement and Investor Protection.”
- Attach proof of deposit, promotional materials, screenshots of false promises.
- SEC can issue a Cease & Desist Order (CDO) within 48 hrs for prima facie fraud.
5.5 E‑commerce Transaction Disputes (ITA 2023)
- Log in to E‑Commerce Complaint Portal (DTI single sign‑on).
- Fill product/service details, seller page link, order number.
- BOE auto‑routes to seller for conciliation (7 days).
- If unresolved, case upgrades to adjudication; decisions enforceable by writ of execution via sheriff.
6. Drafting a Sworn Affidavit of Complaint
Format Essentials • Title: “Affidavit‑Complaint for Estafa thru Computer‑Related Fraud (Art. 315 in relation to RA 10175)” • Parties: full legal name, age, address, ID details. • Narrative: chronological, numbered paragraphs. • Attribution: clearly identify suspect’s online identifiers to real‑world identities (if known). • Prayer: request issuance of subpoena duces tecum to banks/telcos, provisional hold‑departure order, and indictment. • Verification & jurat: signed before prosecutor or e‑notary under Sec 9, e‑Notarization Act IRR.
Attach: (a) evidence list, (b) copies of IDs, (c) police blotter if any, (d) proof of financial loss.
7. Civil & Administrative Remedies
| Forum | Claim | Prescriptive Period |
|---|---|---|
| Regular trial courts | Damages, rescission, injunction | 4 yrs (quasi‑delict) / 6 yrs (written contract) |
| Small Claims Court | ≤ ₱400k refund | 2 yrs |
| DTI – BOE | Refund/replacement; suspension of seller’s online store | 2 yrs from discovery |
| BSP – CPMCO | Reversal of unauthorized debit; bank penalties | 2 yrs |
| NPC | Cease processing, indemnity for privacy breaches | 1 yr |
8. After Filing: What to Expect
- Subpoena Stage (15‑30 days): Police/NBI secure data from telcos, banks, platforms.
- Pre‑investigation (60‑90 days): Prosecutor assesses probable cause.
- Court Proceedings: Cybercrime cases filed in designated RTC branches; warrants issued quickly owing to electronic evidence.
- Assets Freeze: AMLC may issue 20‑day freeze order; extendable by Court of Appeals.
- Restitution: Courts routinely award full refund + interest; collectable via garnishment.
9. Cross‑Border & Large‑Scale Scams
- MLAT & 24/7 Network: NBI‑CCD is PH point‑of‑contact for transnational data requests.
- Interpol Purple Notice: Used for scam call‑center typologies.
- ASEAN Desk: Info‑sharing enables quick domain takedowns for .com, .net within 48 hrs.
10. Practical Tips to Quickly Build Your Case
- Lodge with multiple agencies simultaneously—it isn’t forum shopping for criminal matters.
- Ask your bank for a dispute memo citing RA 11765; banks are now liable if they fail to adopt “strong customer authentication.”
- Record your submission timeline—screenshots of emails sent to establish diligence.
- Use the SIM Registration Act: request police to subpoena the suspect’s SIM activation KYC.
- Check SEC ‘SEC CheckApp’ (mobile) for unregistered entities before investing.
11. Frequently Asked Questions
| Q | A |
|---|---|
| Can I report anonymously? | Yes for tip‑offs, but formal criminal complaints require your identity to stand as witness. |
| Will I get my money back? | Possible via court‑ordered restitution or bank mediation; success rates rise when you file within 24 hrs & freeze funds. |
| Do I need a lawyer? | Not strictly, but legal counsel improves affidavit drafting and civil recovery. The PAO assists indigent victims. |
| What if the scammer is overseas? | PH courts still have jurisdiction if any element (e.g., your loss) occurred locally; expect longer timelines as rogatory letters are processed. |
12. Quick‑Reference Checklist
- Gather digital evidence (screenshots, receipts).
- Notify your bank or e‑wallet provider immediately.
- File e‑blotter at PNP‑ACG or NBI‑CCD complaint form.
- Escalate to BSP/SEC/DTI/NPC depending on case type.
- Prepare & notarize a Sworn Affidavit of Complaint.
- Track agency reference numbers and follow up every 15 days.
13. Conclusion
Reporting an online scam in the Philippines now combines cyber‑specific statutes with traditional estafa rules, supported by a growing ecosystem of specialized agencies (ACG, NBI, BOE, BSP, SEC, NPC). Success hinges on swift evidence preservation, prompt multi‑agency reporting, and precise affidavit drafting. With the 2023 Internet Transactions Act and 2022 Financial Consumer Protection Act, victims now enjoy faster administrative relief and clearer e‑commerce safeguards—so do not hesitate to assert your rights, document thoroughly, and pursue both criminal and civil avenues for full recovery.
Disclaimer: This article provides general legal information current as of July 23 2025 and is not a substitute for formal legal advice. Laws and procedures may change; consult a qualified Philippine lawyer for counsel on your specific situation.