How to Report Scammers in the Philippines

A comprehensive legal guide for victims, counsel, and law‑enforcement officers (2025 Edition)

1. Overview: What Counts as a “Scam”?

Common Label	Typical Conduct	Governing Law(s)	Possible Charges
Estafa / Fraud	Obtaining money or property through deceit, false pretenses, bouncing checks, investment pyramids	Revised Penal Code (RPC) Art. 315‑318; Bouncing Checks Law (BP 22); Financial Products & Services Consumer Protection Act (RA 11765)	Estafa, BP 22, Unfair Collection
Cyber‑enabled Fraud	Phishing, online marketplace dupes, love scams, fake charity pages, SIM swap	Cybercrime Prevention Act (RA 10175) plus predicate crimes (estafa, identity theft, access‑device fraud)	Cyber‑estafa, Identity Theft, Illegal Access
Investment or Securities Scam	Unregistered sale of securities, Ponzi schemes, “double your money” crypto pools	Securities Regulation Code (RA 8799); Investment Fraud under SEC Memorandum Circulars; Syndicated Estafa (PD 1689)	Unregistered Sale; Syndicated Estafa
Card / E‑wallet Fraud	Skimming, cloning, unauthorized transfers, QR code tampering	Access Devices Regulation Act (RA 8484); AMLA (RA 9160); RA 11765	Access‑device Fraud, Money‑laundering
Consumer‑product Scam	Counterfeit goods, false advertising, non‑delivery of paid items	Consumer Act of 1992 (RA 7394); Price Act (RA 7581); E‑Commerce Act (RA 8792)	Deceptive Sales Acts, Price Manipulation

A single incident can violate several statutes.

2. Key Enforcement & Regulatory Agencies

Agency	Jurisdiction & Powers	How to Contact
Philippine National Police – Anti‑Cybercrime Group (PNP‑ACG)	National cyber‑crime complaints, digital forensics, search‑and‑seizure under RA 10175	Hotlines 0998‑598‑8116 / 02‑8414‑1560; e-mail: acg@pnp.gov.ph; walk‑in at Camp Crame
National Bureau of Investigation – Cybercrime Division (NBI‑CCD)	Complex / syndicated fraud, international collaboration (Interpol), computer forensic lab	File Complaints & Investigation Slip at Taft Ave. HQ or regional NBI offices
Securities & Exchange Commission – Enforcement & Investor Protection Dept. (EIPD)	Unregistered investments, boiler‑room operations, cease‑and‑desist, asset freeze	e-mail: epd@sec.gov.ph; SEC main office, Mandaluyong
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas – Financial Consumer Protection Dept. (FCPD)	Bank/e‑wallet disputes, unauthorized transfers, phishing, e‑money operators	Consumer Assistance Mechanism (CAM): 02‑8708‑7087; e-mail: consumeraffairs@bsp.gov.ph
Department of Trade & Industry – Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB)	Product scams, non‑delivery, deceptive online ads, warranty enforcement	One‑DTI Hotline: 1‑384; file Consumer Complaint Form online or at DTI NCR
National Privacy Commission (NPC)	Data‑breach aspects, identity theft, doxxing	e-mail: complaints@privacy.gov.ph; NPC portal
Anti‑Money Laundering Council (AMLC)	Freezing and tracing scam proceeds once predicate crime established	Via law‑enforcement request or direct report from victim’s bank

3. Step‑by‑Step Reporting Procedure

3.1 Gather & Preserve Evidence

Financial Records – bank/GCash transaction history, deposit slips, checks.
Digital Trails – screenshots of chats, e‑mails, social‑media posts, URLs (use page‑source or Wayback capture if possible).
Identification of Offender – names, aliases, phone/SIM numbers, IP addresses (ask platform for logs).
Witnesses & Affidavits – notarized statements from persons who saw or heard the representations.
Correspondence with Platforms – ticket numbers, takedown requests, reversal/charge‑back letters.
Chain‑of‑Custody Log – describe when & how each digital file was obtained to avoid authenticity objections under Rules on Electronic Evidence (A.M. 01‑7‑01‑SC).

3.2 Initial Blotter or Online E‑Complaint

If Offender is…	First Contact Point	Notes
Known & Local	Nearest Police Station / Barangay Hall	Lupon mediation under Barangay Justice (RA 7160) is mandatory before criminal filing if both parties reside in same city/municipality and penalty ≤ 1 year or fine ≤ ₱5,000, unless cybercrime or violence involved.
Unknown / Online	PNP‑ACG online portal or NBI‑CCD	Cybercrime cases bypass barangay conciliation.

Get a Police Blotter Entry or NBI Acknowledgment Receipt; this “triggers” the official investigation timeline.

3.3 Formal Criminal Complaint (Office of the City/Provincial Prosecutor)

Verified Complaint‑Affidavit citing violated provisions.
Supporting Annexes (marked A, B, C…).
Proof of barangay referral or exemption, when required.
Pay documentary‑stamp tax (~₱30 per annex) and filing fee (varies).
Prosecutor issues Subpoena and Counter‑Affidavit cycle → Resolution (probable cause) → Information filed in RTC/MeTC.

Time‑frames:

Estafa prescribes in 15 years (afflictive) or 10 years (correctional) from discovery.
Cyber‑offenses prescriptive period follows underlying crime plus 8 years (RA 10175 §6).

3.4 Civil & Administrative Remedies

Remedy	Venue	Purpose
Restitution & Damages	Civil action ex delicto (same criminal case) or separate civil complaint	Recover loss + interests + moral/exemplary damages
Small Claims (≤ ₱400 000, 2022 threshold)	MTC/MeTC under A.M. 08‑8‑7‑SC	Speedy, lawyer‑free money judgment
DTI Mediation/Arbitration	DTI regional office	Replacement, refund, recall, fines (₱50 k – ₱300 k per offense)
SEC Cease‑and‑Desist	SEC‑EIPD	Stop ongoing offer, escrow assets, eventual criminal referral
BSP Charge‑back / Reversal	Issuing bank or e‑money issuer	Return funds within 15 BD if unauthorized transfer proven (RA 11765 IRR)
Private Arbitration (e‑Commerce Platforms)	Lazada, Shopee, Facebook, etc.	Platform‑specific refunds/bans; not a bar to criminal action

4. Special Considerations

4.1 Cross‑Border & OFW Victims

Use Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) channels via NBI or DOJ‑OOC for evidence located abroad.
Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLO) can notarize affidavits.

4.2 Child & Senior Citizen Victims

Enhanced penalties under RA 10175 §6 and RPC Qualified Estafa if victim is a “vulnerable person.”
Immediate inquest without barangay proceedings.

4.3 Asset‑Freezing & Restitution

Prosecutor may move for precautionary hold‑departure order (HDO).
AMLC may obtain freeze order (30‑day ex parte, extendible) on suspected bank/e‑wallet accounts.

4.4 Data‑Privacy Hurdles

Platforms may invoke the Data Privacy Act; subpoena duces tecum or a Lawful Order (warrant/subpoena) is often needed.
DICT’s Joint Administrative Order 2023‑001 sets standard 7‑day compliance window for telcos/banks to release subscriber info in online fraud investigations.

5. Penalties Snapshot (Selected Offenses)

Offense	Imprisonment	Fine	Ancillary	Remark
Estafa (RPC 315)	Prision correccional (6 mo‑6 yr) to reclusion temporal (12‑20 yr) depending on amount (RA 10951 update)	Matches amount defrauded + up to double	Mandatory restitution	Syndicated Estafa (PD 1689): life imprisonment
BP 22	30 days‑1 yr or fine up to double, or both	Up to ₱200 k	Civil indemnity	May be settled via compromise
RA 10175 Cyber‑estafa	Penalty one degree higher than plain estafa	Same fine schedule	Forfeiture of devices	Separate from libel, ID theft
RA 8484 Access‑device Fraud	6 yr‑20 yr	₱10 k‑₱2 M + double value obtained	Confiscation of devices, deportation (aliens)	Covers ATM skimming, cloned cards
RA 11765 Violations	Up to 5 yr	Up to ₱2 M/day of violation for entities	License revocation	Administrative, separate from RPC

6. Practical Tips for Victims

Act Quickly: Banks undo fraudulent e‑wallet transfers only within BSP’s prescriptive window (15 banking days).
Use Official Channels: Reporting via verified social‑media pages avoids fake “helpdesk” accounts.
Keep Communications One‑Way After Complaint: Offenders may claim entrapment or harassment. Let police handle contact.
Beware of “Case Fixers”: Only authorized private complainant’s counsel or prosecutors may receive evidence.
Check for Class‑Action Opportunities: SEC or DTI sometimes initiates representative suits for large investment‑scam pools.
Mental‑Health Support: DOH hotlines (1553) and non‑profits (Hopeline 02‑8804‑4673) assist trauma victims.

7. Flow‑Chart Summary

Evidence Gathering → Police/NBI Blotter  
        ↓
    Prosecutor
(Complaint‑Affidavit)
        ↓
  • Probable Cause? — Yes → Court Trial → Judgment → Restitution/Execution  
                      No  → Dismissal (option: motion for reconsideration)  

Parallel Tracks:  
• DTI/SEC Admin Case → Fines, Cease‑Desist, Refund  
• BSP Dispute → Charge‑back, Reversal  
• Civil Action → Damages, Asset Attachment  
• AMLC/Freeze Order → Asset Preservation

8. Frequently Asked Questions

Question	Short Answer
Can I sue and report at the same time?	Yes. Criminal, civil, and administrative actions may proceed independently (Rule 111, Rules of Criminal Procedure; RA 7394).
Do I need a lawyer to file a complaint?	Not for the initial police blotter. Legal assistance becomes crucial at the prosecutor stage; PAO representation is free for indigents.
Is mediation compulsory?	Only under barangay justice rules for minor non‑cyber offenses where parties are neighbors; cybercrime and syndicated estafa are exempt.
Will the scammer be jailed immediately?	Temporary detention possible upon warrantless arrest in flagrante or via warrant issued after probable cause; bail is generally available except for life‑imprisonment charges (e.g., PD 1689).
How long does a cyber‑estafa case take?	Investigation (30‑90 days) → Prosecutor (60‑180 days) → Court trial (2‑5 years). Settlements often occur once arraignment nears.

9. Conclusion

Reporting a scam in the Philippines is neither informal nor purely punitive—it is a multi‑forum process that blends criminal prosecution, consumer protection, asset recovery, and financial‑sector regulation. Success hinges on prompt evidence preservation, a clear understanding of which agency to approach, and vigilance in parallel civil or administrative remedies.

While this guide captures the state of the law as of July 28 2025, statutes and agency rules evolve; always consult current updates or seek professional legal counsel for specific situations.

— End of Article —

How to Report Scammers in the Philippines