How to Verify Scam Texts Alleging an Estafa Case & Avoid Fraud
(Philippine legal perspective, updated June 2025)
1. Why scammers invoke “estafa”
“Estafa” (swindling) sits under Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code. Because it carries a maximum penalty of reclusión temporal (12 years, 1 day to 20 years), scammers know the mere word frightens ordinary people. They exploit three common fears:
| Fear triggered | Reality in Philippine procedure |
|---|---|
| “A warrant of arrest has already been issued against you.” | A warrant issues only after: 1. A prosecutor finds probable cause; and 2. An information is filed in court; and 3. A judge personally evaluates the records. Warrants are served by uniformed officers, never via SMS. |
| “Pay mediation/settlement fees today or we will freeze your bank account.” | Courts or prosecutors do not collect money through GCash, Maya, or prepaid load. Any court‐ordered payment is made at the Office of the Clerk of Court (OCC) or via official payment portals with printed receipts. |
| “You failed to appear at the inquest; you will be arrested tonight.” | For non-inquest estafa complaints, the respondent first receives a subpoena to submit a counter-affidavit. Failure to do so may lead to indictment, but arrest warrants are never delivered by text. |
2. Quick refresher on the estafa process
- Filing of complaint – Usually at the barangay (for amicable settlement) or directly with the Office of the City/Provincial Prosecutor (OCP/OPP).
- Preliminary investigation – Subpoena served personally, by registered mail, or by authorized e-mail (not SMS). Respondent submits a counter-affidavit.
- Resolution – If probable cause is found, an information is filed in the trial court (generally the Regional Trial Court).
- Issuance of warrant – Judge evaluates records and issues a warrant, which is enforced by the PNP/NBI—not by anonymous texters.
- Arraignment & trial – Only after the accused is validly arrested or voluntarily surrenders.
Hence, no part of the official chain uses unsolicited text messaging.
3. Anatomy of a fake “estafa warrant” text
| Typical element | Why it’s bogus |
|---|---|
| “RTC Br. 776” (non-existent branch numbers or wrong city) | RTC branches are sequential within each city/ province. Br. 776 may exist in Quezon City but not in Kalibo. |
| Name of a well-known fiscal or judge but wrong jurisdiction | Scammers copy public names yet pair them with bogus addresses. |
| “Settlement portal” link using URL shorteners (bit.ly, tinyurl) | Government sites use .gov.ph domains secured by HTTPS. |
| Urgency: “Reply YES within the hour to avoid arrest.” | Courts never demand instant replies; due process timelines are counted in days, not minutes. |
| GCash/PayMaya number in personal name | Court fees go to the Bureau of Treasury via LandBank/DBP channels or the OCC cashiers. |
4. Step-by-step verification checklist
Pause & screenshot – Preserve the entire message with sender details.
Search the docket
e-Court (for NCR and selected courts):
- https://ecasportal.judiciary.gov.ph – enter the stated docket or case number.
Manual verification: Call the Office of the Clerk of Court of the city mentioned. Provide your full name and alleged case number.
Call the prosecutor’s office – Each OCP keeps a “National Prosecution Service (NPS) docket”. If no docket exists, the text is fake.
Cross-check names of officials – Use the Supreme Court Directory of Courts or the DOJ roster.
Validate phone numbers – Legitimate offices use landlines or official cellular prefixes (usually 0919-06xx-xxxx for the PNP; 0998-96x-xxxx for NBI).
Never click links until you have confirmed their legitimacy.
Do not send money or personal data—including scans of your ID—unless inside the court or prosecutor’s premises.
5. Where to report
| Concern | Agency | How to reach |
|---|---|---|
| Suspicious SMS or online message | NTC One-Stop Public Assistance Center | SMS 0919-588-2286 or e-mail ospac@ntc.gov.ph |
| Attempted extortion or phishing | PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) | (02) 8723-0401 loc. 7491 or Facebook: @anticybercrimegroup |
| Online identity theft / fake profiles | NBI Cybercrime Division | (02) 8521-9208 local 3429; report@nbi.gov.ph |
| Unsolicited use of your personal data | National Privacy Commission | complaints@privacy.gov.ph |
| Consumer complaint vs. telco (failure to block) | Department of Trade & Industry – CPAB | 1-D TI (1-384) |
6. Preventive habits
- Enable built-in “spam filter” or “block sender” on iOS/Android.
- Register your SIM accurately (RA 11934) and keep the registration slip.
- Use two numbers: one for public/online posts, one for banking/ government.
- Watch your digital footprint – Social media oversharing (e.g., boarding passes, IDs) fuels targeted scams.
- Never post screenshots of legit subpoenas; blur docket numbers and addresses.
- Activate SMS-to-e-mail forwarding so scam texts are backed up for evidence.
7. Legal remedies & liability of scammers
| Offense committed by scammer | Statute & penalty |
|---|---|
| Swindling/Estafa (if victim pays) | Art. 315 RPC – up to reclusión temporal depending on amount. |
| Unlawful use of means of publication and unregistered SIM (until full enforcement) | Art. 154 RPC + fines under RA 11934. |
| Computer-related identity theft, phishing, fraud | RA 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act) – 1° higher penalty than the underlying offense. |
| Violation of Data Privacy Act | RA 10173, §§ 25-34 – Fine ₱500 k–₱5 M + 1–6 years. |
| Falsification of documents or authority | Art. 171/172 RPC – 6 months 1 day to 12 years. |
Victims may simultaneously file:
- Criminal complaint with the OCP/ACG/NBI;
- Civil action for damages under Article 33 (defamation) or Article 2176 (quasi-delict) of the Civil Code;
- Administrative complaint to the NPC for personal-data misuse.
8. Frequently asked questions
Q 1: Can a prosecutor’s subpoena arrive by e-mail only?
Yes—DOJ Circular # 10-2020 allows e-mail service if you furnished that address during preliminary investigation or prior pleadings. A stray text message is never enough.
Q 2: If I actually have an outstanding complaint, can I settle via GCash?
Compromise is allowed (Art. 23, RPC) but payment terms must be in writing, signed by the parties, and usually deposited in court. Insist on a notarized compromise agreement.
Q 3: What if I accidentally sent money?
- Secure screenshots and GCash reference numbers.
- File an affidavit of complaint with the ACG/NBI within 15 days so that a “freeze request” can be sent to BSP-supervised institutions.
- Follow it up with a formal estafa complaint.
9. Sample due-diligence script
Caller: “Good morning, ma’am/sir. I received a text claiming there is an estafa case against me in RTC Bulacan Branch 18, docket ‘Crim No. XYZ-2025-987’. May I confirm if such case exists under my name, Juan dela Cruz?” Clerk of Court: “Please hold while I search the docket… No such case exists.” Caller: “May I have your name and position for my notes? Thank you.”
Keep the call under two minutes; note the date, time, and name of the official for your affidavit if needed.
10. Key take-aways
- Official legal processes never begin—or end—in a text inbox.
- Always verify through government channels, not through the number that messaged you.
- Do not pay, do not click, do not overshare.
- Report every attempt. Collective reporting fuels telco blocking and criminal prosecution.
- Educate family and staff. Many victims are seniors or small-business owners unfamiliar with digital traps.
Disclaimer
This article provides general Philippine legal information as of June 23 2025. It is not a substitute for individualized legal advice. For specific situations, consult a lawyer licensed in the Philippines.