In the Philippines, the rise of digital transactions has been met with a parallel increase in cybercrime, specifically Online Estafa. This offense is primarily governed by the Revised Penal Code (RPC) in relation to Republic Act No. 10175, otherwise known as the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

If you have been defrauded online, filing a formal complaint is the first step toward seeking justice and restitution.

Understanding Online Estafa

Estafa, or swindling, occurs when a person defrauds another through unfaithfulness, abuse of confidence, or false pretenses. When these acts are committed through an information and communications technology (ICT) system—such as social media, messaging apps, or email—it is classified as Online Estafa.

Under Section 6 of R.A. 10175, crimes defined under the Revised Penal Code that are committed via ICT carry a penalty one degree higher than those prescribed by the RPC.

Common Forms of Online Estafa

Non-delivery of Goods: Paying for an item that the seller never intends to ship.
Investment Scams: Promising high returns through "paluwagan" or fake trading platforms.
Phishing/Spoofing: Posing as a legitimate bank or entity to trick victims into transferring funds.

Key Details to Include in the Complaint

For a complaint to prosper in the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) or the Philippine National Police (PNP) Anti-Cybercrime Group, it must be detailed and backed by evidence. Your affidavit should include:

Identity of the Parties: Full name, handle/username, and known address of the perpetrator (if available).
The "Modus Operandi": A chronological narrative of how the transaction started, the promises made, and how the fraud was executed.
The Amount Involved: Specify the exact amount lost.
Evidence of Transaction:

Screenshots: Chat logs, profiles of the scammer, and proof of the "deal."
Proof of Payment: Deposit slips, GCash/Maya transaction receipts, or bank transfer confirmations.
URLs: Links to the scammer’s profile or the fraudulent website.

Sample Format: Complaint-Affidavit

Note: This is a simplified template. It is highly recommended to have the final document reviewed by a lawyer and it must be notarized to be valid for filing.

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES)

CITY OF [City Name] ) S.S.

COMPLAINT-AFFIDAVIT

I, [Your Full Name], of legal age, Filipino, [Civil Status], and a resident of [Your Address], after having been duly sworn to in accordance with law, hereby depose and state that:

THE ACCUSED: I am filing a formal complaint for Estafa under Art. 315 of the RPC in relation to R.A. 10175 against [Scammer's Name/Username], who may be served with notices at [Scammer’s Address, if known, or state "Unknown address"].
THE INCIDENT: On [Date], I encountered the Respondent through [Platform, e.g., Facebook Marketplace]. The Respondent offered to sell/provide [Product/Service].
FALSE PRETENSES: Relying on the Respondent's representations that [State the lie, e.g., "they had the item in stock and would ship upon payment"], I agreed to the transaction.
THE PAYMENT: On [Date], I transferred the amount of PHP [Amount] via [Method, e.g., GCash/Bank Transfer] to the account named [Account Name/Number]. Attached as Annex "A" is the proof of payment.
THE FRAUD: After receiving the payment, the Respondent [State what happened, e.g., "blocked me on social media" or "failed to deliver the item despite repeated demands"]. Attached as Annex "B" are copies of our chat conversations.
DEMAND: On [Date], I sent a demand for the return of my money, but the Respondent ignored the same.
PRAYER: I am executing this affidavit to attest to the truth of the foregoing facts and to support the filing of criminal charges for Online Estafa against the Respondent.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this [Date] day of [Month], 2026 at [City].

(Signature over Printed Name of Complainant)

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN TO before me this [Date] day of [Month], 2026.

Where to File the Complaint

PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG): Visit their main office at Camp Crame or their regional field units.
NBI Cybercrime Division (CCD): You can file a report at the NBI building in Manila or via their online complaint portal.
Department of Justice (DOJ): For the preliminary investigation once the law enforcement agency has gathered enough evidence.

Pro Tip: Keep digital backups of all evidence. In cybercrime cases, the "best evidence rule" applies to the digital data itself, so do not delete the original chat threads or emails.

Would you like me to draft a formal Demand Letter that you can send to the perpetrator before filing the case?