The Philippines has one of the highest social media penetration rates in the world, with Facebook, Messenger, TikTok, Instagram, Twitter/X, and Viber serving as primary communication and commerce platforms for millions of Filipinos. This digital dependence has made the country a prime target for online scammers, particularly romance scams, investment scams, job offer scams, fake online selling, phishing, identity theft, and sextortion.

In 2024–2025, the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Cybercrime Division reported that online scams accounted for over 60% of all cybercrime complaints, with losses running into tens of billions of pesos annually. The most common platforms remain Facebook and Messenger, followed by Telegram and WhatsApp groups.

This article provides a complete, practical, and legally accurate guide on how to report online scammers targeting Filipinos, the applicable laws, the correct government agencies, the step-by-step procedures, and the realistic expectations on recovery and prosecution.

I. Applicable Philippine Laws Against Online Scammers

Republic Act No. 10175 – Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 (as amended by RA 10951)
- Section 4(a)(1): Computer-related forgery
- Section 4(a)(2): Computer-related fraud (estafa committed through digital means)
- Section 4(a)(3): Computer-related identity theft
- Section 4(b)(3): Cyber-squatting and phishing
- Section 6: All crimes defined in the Revised Penal Code (e.g., estafa under Art. 315, libel under Art. 355) committed using a computer system are punished with one degree higher penalty.
Revised Penal Code
- Article 315 – Estafa (swindling) – the most frequently used charge against scammers
- Article 318 – Other deceits
- Article 183 – False testimony/perjury (when scammers use fake identities or documents)
Republic Act No. 10173 – Data Privacy Act of 2012
Applicable when scammers steal or misuse personal information.
Republic Act No. 8484 – Access Devices Regulation Act
For scams involving credit cards, GCash, Maya, bank accounts, or other access devices.
Republic Act No. 8792 – Electronic Commerce Act of 2000
Gives legal recognition to electronic evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction receipts).
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Circulars (especially Circular No. 1154, series of 2022)
Banks and e-wallets must assist victims in freezing accounts used by scammers within 72 hours upon proper complaint.
Republic Act No. 12010 – Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act (AFASA) of 2024
The newest and strongest law. Criminalizes money muling, social engineering, and financial scams involving bank accounts and e-wallets. Penalties up to life imprisonment for large-scale scams.

II. Common Types of Online Scams Targeting Filipinos (2024–2025)

Romance/love scams (often by West African or Nigerian syndicates using fake U.S. military profiles)
Pig butchering/investment scams (fake crypto, forex, stock trading platforms)
Job offer scams (fake recruitment agencies asking for placement fees)
Online selling scams (Facebook Marketplace, Shopee/Lazada impersonation)
Loan app harassment and sextortion
Fake giveaways, raffle scams, “blessing loom,” or “paluwagan” schemes
Charity and disaster relief donation scams (common after typhoons)

III. Immediate Actions When You Have Been Scammed

Stop all communication with the scammer.
Do NOT delete anything. Preserve all evidence:
- Screenshots of conversations (include timestamps and profile URLs)
- Profile photos (right-click → “Search image with Google” or use reveye.app to check if stolen)
- Transaction receipts (GCash, Maya, bank transfers, crypto wallet addresses)
- Links sent by the scammer
- Voice calls or video calls (record if possible, or note the phone number)
Change all passwords and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) everywhere.
If money was sent via bank/e-wallet, immediately call the bank or e-wallet hotline and request account freezing of the mule account.

IV. How to Report to Social Media Platforms (Essential First Step)

Facebook / Meta (including Messenger, Instagram, WhatsApp)

For fake profiles: Go to profile → three dots → Report → “Fake account” or “Scam or fraud”
For posts/ads: Three dots → Report post → “Scam or fraud”
For Marketplace scams: Report the listing and the seller
For investment scams: Report as “Financial scam” or “Fake investment opportunity”
Meta now has a dedicated Philippine reporting form: https://www.facebook.com/help/contact/144059062408922 (for financial scams)

Meta is required under Philippine law (CICC directives) to preserve data for at least six months upon formal law enforcement request.

TikTok

Report → “Scam or fraud” → “Financial scam” or “Fake account”

Twitter/X

Report tweet → “Spam” or “Scam or fraud”

Report channel/user → “Scam”

V. Reporting to Philippine Government Agencies (The Most Important Step)

A. Fastest and Most Effective: Cybercrime Complaint via CICC Online Portal

The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) has the most efficient online reporting system:

Website: https://cicc.gov.ph/cybercrime-complaint/
or https://report.cicc.gov.ph

Requirements:

Valid email address
Scanned valid ID
Detailed narration
Upload screenshots and evidence

The CICC forwards the complaint to the proper agency (PNP-ACG or NBI) within 24–48 hours and gives you a reference number. This is now the preferred method because it is centralized and monitored by the Office of the President.

B. Philippine National Police – Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG)

Hotline: 8723-0401 local 7491
Mobile: 0998-849-0030 (Viber capable)
Email: acg@pnp.gov.ph
Facebook: PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group

You can file online via https://pnpacg.ph/cyber-tips

PNP-ACG is the primary investigating agency for estafa and cybercrime cases involving amounts below ₱5 million.

C. National Bureau of Investigation – Cybercrime Division (NBI-CCD)

Trunkline: (02) 8523-8231 to 38
Cybercrime hotline: 8525-4073 or 0966-670-2293
Online complaint: https://nbi.gov.ph/online-services/

NBI handles cases involving large syndicates, international scammers, and when subpoena to banks or telcos is needed.

D. Department of Justice – Office of Cybercrime (DOJ-OOC)

Email: cybercrime@doj.gov.ph
For cases that need immediate preservation letters to Facebook, Google, banks, etc.

E. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (for bank/e-wallet involved scams)

Email: consumeraffairs@bsp.gov.ph
Hotline: 8708-7087
Banks are required to respond within 7–10 days and may reverse transactions in some cases.

VI. Filing a Formal Criminal Complaint (For Prosecution)

Go to the nearest PNP station or NBI office and file a blotter/complaint-affidavit (bring evidence and valid ID).
The police investigator will endorse the case to the Prosecutor’s Office (City/Provincial Prosecutor).
Inquest or preliminary investigation will be conducted.
If probable cause is found, the case is filed in court (Municipal Trial Court or Regional Trial Court depending on amount).

Under RA 12010 (AFASA), banks and e-money issuers are now required to cooperate fully and may be held liable if they fail to freeze mule accounts promptly.

VII. Recovery of Money – Realistic Expectations

GCash/Maya: If reported within 24–48 hours and the mule account is frozen, recovery rate is approximately 60–70% (2025 data).
Bank transfers: Recovery is possible only if the mule account still has funds when frozen.
Cryptocurrency: Almost impossible to recover unless the scammer voluntarily returns it.
International wire transfers (Western Union, MoneyGram): Very low recovery rate.

Victims may also file a separate civil case for damages or collection of sum of money.

VIII. Prevention Tips That Actually Work in the Philippine Context

Never send money to someone you have not met in person.
Verify investment opportunities with SEC (https://www.sec.gov.ph/capital-market-participants/).
Use only in-app payment for Facebook Marketplace (Shipping option with payment protection).
Enable privacy settings: Friends-only posts, disable search by phone number.
Do not click links sent by strangers.
Use strong, unique passwords and an authenticator app (not SMS 2FA).
Report suspicious accounts immediately — early reporting prevents other victims.

Online scamming is a serious crime under Philippine law with penalties ranging from 6 years to life imprisonment depending on the amount and scale. Reporting is not just for personal justice — every report helps law enforcement build cases against syndicates operating in the Philippines, Nigeria, Cambodia, Myanmar, and China.

File your report today. The sooner you act, the higher the chance of stopping the scammer and possibly recovering your money.

For immediate assistance, use the CICC portal at https://report.cicc.gov.ph — it is the single most effective action a Filipino victim can take in 2025.