How to Report Online Scams in the Philippines

The Philippines has one of the highest internet penetration rates in Southeast Asia, with over 80 million Filipinos online as of 2025. Unfortunately, this digital growth has been accompanied by a massive surge in online fraud. Investment scams, romance scams, phishing, fake online selling, job offer scams, and cryptocurrency fraud now victimize hundreds of thousands of Filipinos annually, with reported losses running into tens of billions of pesos each year.

Reporting online scams is not just a personal remedy—it is a civic and legal duty. Every credible report strengthens law enforcement’s ability to identify syndicates, freeze bank accounts and e-wallets, issue lookout bulletins, and secure international cooperation through Interpol or ASEAN channels.

Primary Legal Bases

1. Revised Penal Code (Act No. 3815, as amended)

   • Articles 315–318: Estafa (swindling) through false pretenses or fraudulent acts
   • Article 171–172: Falsification of documents (applies to fake receipts, contracts, etc.)

2. Republic Act No. 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, as amended by RA 10951)

   • Section 4(a)(1): Illegal access
   • Section 4(a)(3): Data interference
   • Section 4(c)(1): Cyber-squatting
   • Section 4(c)(4): Computer-related fraud
   • Section 4(c)(2): Computer-related identity theft
   • Section 6: All crimes defined in the Revised Penal Code and special laws committed by, through, or with the use of ICT are elevated one degree higher in penalty.

3. Republic Act No. 11967 (Internet Transactions Act of 2023)

   • Created the E-Commerce Bureau under the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)
   • Mandates digital platforms, e-marketplaces, and payment gateways to implement anti-fraud measures and cooperate with law enforcement
   • Provides for administrative fines up to PHP 1 million and criminal liability for platforms that fail to act on reported fraudulent merchants.

4. Republic Act No. 12010 (Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act or AFASA of 2024)

   • Criminalizes social engineering schemes, money muling, and economic sabotage via financial account scams
   • Authorizes immediate freezing of bank accounts, e-wallets, and crypto wallets upon prima facie evidence
   • Penalties range from 7 years imprisonment to life imprisonment for large-scale scams.

5. Republic Act No. 10173 (Data Privacy Act of 2012)

   • Victims whose personal data were misused may also file complaints with the National Privacy Commission (NPC).

Immediate Actions Upon Discovering the Scam (Essential for Successful Investigation)

1. Stop all communication with the scammer.
2. Do NOT delete any conversation, even if embarrassing.
3. Take full screenshots showing:
   • Profile names, photos, and URLs
   • Complete conversation threads (Messenger, Viber, WhatsApp, Telegram)
   • Transaction receipts, GCash/Maya references, bank transfer details
   • Fake websites or phishing links
4. Download chat histories (Facebook Messenger: Settings → Your Facebook Information → Download Your Information).
5. Preserve bank/e-wallet statements and screenshots of balances before and after the scam.
6. If possible, record the scammer’s phone number, even if it is later disconnected.

Where and How to Report (Step-by-Step)

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

Primary investigating agency for most online scams.

Online Reporting (fastest and recommended):
https://cybercrime.pnp.gov.ph → “Report Cybercrime” portal

• Accepts reports 24/7
• You will receive a reference number immediately
• No need to go to a police station initially

Hotline: (02) 8723-0401 loc. 7491 / 0917-708-0309 (Globe) / 0928-725-5255 (Smart)
Email: acg@pnp.gov.ph or report@cybercrime.gov.ph

In-person: Camp Crame, Quezon City (preferred for large amounts or when you want to file a formal criminal complaint with affidavit)

Required documents for formal complaint:

• Complaint-affidavit (notarized)
• All evidence in digital and printed form
• Valid ID

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

Preferred when the scam involves identity theft, hacking, or when PNP-ACG is slow.

Online Reporting: https://nbi.gov.ph/cybercrime-complaint/
Hotline: (02) 8523-8231 to 38 loc. 3454 or 3455
Email: ccd@nbi.gov.ph
Main Office: Taft Avenue, Manila

NBI clearance is NOT required to file a cybercrime complaint.

3. Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC)

Government inter-agency body that coordinates PNP, NBI, DOJ, and international partners.

Online Reporting Portal (highly recommended as first step):
https://cicc.gov.ph/report-cybercrime/
or https://report.cybercrime.gov.ph

The CICC portal automatically forwards your report to PNP-ACG or NBI and gives you a tracking number. Many victims report faster action when filing here first.

Hotline: 1326 (24/7 Cybercrime Response Hotline)

4. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) – For Investment Scams

If the scam involves fake investment platforms, Ponzi schemes, or unregistered securities (very common in 2024–2025).

Online Complaint: https://www.sec.gov.ph/complaints/
Email: epd@sec.gov.ph
Hotline: (02) 8818-5554 / 0917-577-6984

SEC can issue Cease and Desist Orders within 24–48 hours and coordinate account freezing under AFASA.

5. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) – For Bank or E-Money Related Scams

File with BSP after reporting to PNP/NBI if the bank or e-wallet provider is uncooperative.

Online: https://www.bsp.gov.ph/Pages/ConsumerAssistance.aspx
Consumer Assistance Hotline: 8708-7087
Email: consumeraffairs@bsp.gov.ph

BSP can compel banks and EMIs (GCash, Maya, ShopeePay, Coins.ph, etc.) to preserve transaction records and assist in recovery attempts.

6. Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – For Online Selling Scams

Fake online sellers on Shopee, Lazada, Facebook Marketplace, etc.

Online Complaint: https://consumercare.dti.gov.ph
Hotline: 1-384 (DTI Direct)
Under RA 11967, DTI can impose fines on e-marketplaces that fail to remove fraudulent sellers.

7. National Privacy Commission (NPC) – For Identity Theft/Data Breach

If scammers used or sold your personal information.

Online: https://privacy.gov.ph/report-a-breach/ or https://privacy.gov.ph/complaint/
Hotline: 02 8-234-2228

Special Procedures for Large-Scale or Syndicate Cases

• Amounts PHP 500,000 and above: Request the case to be referred to the Department of Justice – Office of Cybercrime (DOJ-OOC) for direct prosecution.
• International scams (Chinese, Nigerian, Cambodian syndicates): CICC coordinates with Interpol and foreign embassies. Provide as much information as possible (IP addresses, wallet addresses, etc.).
• Money mule accounts: Report immediately so the innocent account holder is not charged under AFASA.

Recovery of Funds (Realistic Expectations)

Recovery rate remains low (<10%) data-preserve-html-node="true" but has improved significantly since AFASA (2024).
Fastest recoveries occur when:

• Report is filed within 24–72 hours
• Mule accounts are still active
• Banks/EMIs cooperate in freezing

Success stories in 2025 have reached up to PHP 50 million recovered in single operations when victims reported quickly and provided complete transaction details.

Preventive Legal Duties Under Philippine Law

• RA 11967 requires digital platforms to verify merchants. Report fake shops immediately so platforms face liability.
• SIM Registration Act (RA 11934) makes unregistered SIMs used in scams traceable.
• Always verify SEC registration for investment offers (https://www.sec.gov.ph/capital-market-participants/).

Reporting an online scam in the Philippines is now faster, more coordinated, and more effective than ever before. The combination of the Cybercrime Prevention Act, Internet Transactions Act, and Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act has given law enforcement powerful tools to freeze assets and prosecute offenders.

File your report today—every report weakens the syndicates and protects the next victim. The government’s message in 2025 is clear: “Huwag maging biktima nang dalawang beses. I-report agad.”