I. Nature and Prevalence of Fake Prize Claim Scams

Fake prize claim scams (commonly called “You’ve won!” or “Congratulations, claimant!” scams) remain one of the most persistent forms of online fraud in the Philippines. The modus operandi is almost always identical: the victim receives an unsolicited SMS, Facebook Messenger message, Viber message, WhatsApp message, or email informing them that they have won a large cash prize, vehicle, gadget, or shopping voucher from a supposed raffle of Globe, Smart, PLDT, Shopee, Lazada, PCSO, a shopping mall, or an international sweepstakes.

To claim the prize, the victim is required to pay advance “processing fees,” “taxes,” “notarial fees,” “delivery fees,” or “account activation fees” through GCash, Maya, Palawan Express, Cebuana Lhuillier, bank deposit, or even cryptocurrency. Once payment is made, the scammer disappears, and no prize ever existed.

These scams violate multiple Philippine laws simultaneously and are prosecuted as syndicated estafa, computer-related fraud, and, in many cases, money laundering.

II. Criminal Laws Violated by Fake Prize Scams

Article 315, Revised Penal Code (Estafa/Swindling through False Pretenses)
The core offense. Penalty: prisión correccional to prisión mayor (up to 20 years if amount exceeds ₱4,000,000 under PD 818).
Republic Act No. 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012)
- Section 4(a)(1) – Cybercrime of Estafa
- Section 4(b)(3) – Computer-related Fraud
- Section 6 – All crimes in the RPC and special laws committed by, through, or with the use of ICT are elevated one degree higher.
Result: The penalty for simple estafa becomes one degree higher when committed online.
Republic Act No. 12010 (Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act or AFASA, 2024)
Explicitly covers social engineering schemes, including prize scams that induce victims to transfer money to mule accounts. Penalty: up to prisión mayor medium (8 years and 1 day to 12 years) plus fines up to three times the amount involved.
Republic Act No. 11967 (Internet Transactions Act of 2023)
Section 29 penalizes fraudulent acts in e-marketplaces and digital platforms, including false prize notifications sent via Shopee, Lazada, or Facebook Marketplace.
Republic Act No. 10173 (Data Privacy Act of 2012)
If the scammer illegally obtained the victim’s personal data (name, mobile number, address), this adds a separate criminal charge.
Republic Act No. 8484 (Access Devices Regulation Act)
If the scam involves unauthorized use of GCash, Maya, or bank accounts.
Money Laundering (RA 9160 as amended)
When the amounts are large and mule accounts are used, the case is automatically referred to the AMLC.

III. Step-by-Step Guide: How to Report the Scam (2025 Updated Procedure)

Step 1: Preserve All Evidence Immediately

Screenshot every message, including the sender’s number/profile picture.
Save the exact text of the message.
Screenshot the GCash/Maya/Palawan transaction receipt or reference number.
Note the exact time and date you received the message.
Do not delete the SMS or Messenger thread even if the scammer deletes their account.

Step 2: Report to the Telco (Within 24–48 Hours – Critical for SMS Scams)

Globe/TM: Text REPORT SCAM <sender’s data-preserve-html-node="true" number>
to 8080 (free)
Smart/TNT/Sun: Text SCAM
to 3377 (free)
DITO: Report via app or customer service

Telcos are required under the SIM Registration Act (RA 11934) and NTC-DICT-DILG Joint Memorandum Circular 001-10-2022 to block reported scam numbers within hours.

Step 3: Report to the Payment Platform (To Freeze the Mule Account)

GCash: In-app “Report a Scam” → Submit ticket with screenshots
Maya: Help Center → Report Fraud
Palawan Express/Cebuana/MLhuillier: Go to the branch where money was claimed and file an affidavit of scam; they are required to hold the funds if reported within 72 hours.

Step 4: File a Formal Cybercrime Complaint (Choose any or all – filing in multiple agencies is allowed and encouraged)

A. Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) – Fastest response
Online: https://cybercrime.pnp.gov.ph (official portal as of 2025)
Email: report@cybercrime.pnp.gov.ph
Hotline: (02) 8723-0401 loc 7491 / 0917-708-9079 (Globe) / 0998-849-3872 (Smart)
Walk-in: Camp Crame, Quezon City (open 24/7)

B. National Bureau of Investigation Cybercrime Division (NBI-CCD)
Online: https://nbi.gov.ph/online-services/cybercrime-complaint/
Email: ccd@nbi.gov.ph
Hotline: (02) 8523-8231 loc 4900–4904
Walk-in: NBI Taft Avenue, Manila

C. Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC)
Portal: https://cicc.gov.ph/report-cybercrime
Hotline: 1326 (24/7 cybercrime emergency hotline launched 2023)

D. Department of Justice – Office of Cybercrime (DOJ-OOC)
For cases you want elevated directly to prosecutors: ooc@dOj.gov.ph

Step 5: File a Criminal Complaint with the Prosecutor’s Office

After the police or NBI investigation, you will be asked to execute an affidavit.
Bring:

Printed screenshots
Transaction receipts
Valid ID
Affidavit of witness (if any)

The case will be filed in the Office of the City/Provincial Prosecutor with territorial jurisdiction over your residence or where the money was sent.

Step 6: Request Blocking of Bank/GCash/Maya Accounts Used by Scammers

PNP-ACG and NBI routinely coordinate with BSP and financial institutions. Under AFASA, banks and e-wallets must freeze mule accounts within 24 hours upon receipt of a law enforcement request.

IV. Recovery of Money: Realistic Expectations (2025)

If reported within 24–72 hours and the mule has not yet withdrawn → 70–90% recovery rate (actual 2024–2025 PNP-ACG data).
If money already withdrawn → recovery is rare unless the mule is arrested and still holds the funds.
Civil case for collection of sum of money may be filed against the mule account holder (they are solidarily liable under AFASA).

V. Special Cases

If the scam originates from a fake Facebook page impersonating a legitimate company → report the page + file with PNP-ACG.
If the scammer claims to be from DSWD, DTI, or BIR → add Usurpation of Authority (Art. 177 RPC).
If the victim is a senior citizen → qualifying aggravating circumstance; penalty increased by one degree.

VI. Preventive Measures Every Filipino Must Follow

Never pay any fee to claim a prize. Legitimate raffles do not require winners to pay anything.
Verify through official channels only (e.g., call PCSO hotline 02-8461-1700 for lottery claims).
Register your SIM and report spam immediately.
Enable two-factor authentication and transaction limits on GCash/Maya.
Use the official “Check Scam” databases:
- PNP-ACG Scam Watch List: https://cybercrime.pnp.gov.ph/scam-watch
- CICC Known Scam Numbers Database

VII. Conclusion

Fake prize claim scams are not mere annoyances—they are serious syndicated crimes punishable by long prison terms under multiple laws. Reporting them is not only your right but your civic duty, as every successful report helps dismantle criminal syndicates operating from prisons and abroad.

File immediately, preserve evidence, and coordinate with PNP-ACG or NBI. As of December 2025, the government’s inter-agency response (PNP-ACG, NBI, CICC, BSP, DICT) has never been more coordinated. Victims who report promptly now recover funds at rates never before seen in Philippine history.

Do not be ashamed. Be angry. Be the reason the next Filipino does not become a victim. Report today.