Executive Summary

If you were scammed by an online “casino” (rigged games, frozen withdrawals, phishing, wallet drain, pyramid “VIP recharge” schemes, etc.), you can (and should) file parallel actions:

Criminal complaint with NBI–Cybercrime and/or PNP–Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) (for estafa, illegal gambling, computer-related offenses).
Regulatory complaint with PAGCOR (if the operator claims to be licensed or targets Philippine players) to verify/stop the operation and aid site-blocking.
Financial dispute with your bank/e-wallet/credit card/virtual asset service provider (VASP) for chargeback/freeze/trace; escalate to BSP (for supervised institutions) if mishandled.
Consumer/investment complaint with SEC (if the “casino” is actually an unregistered investment/affiliate scheme) and DTI (for deceptive digital marketing by a local entity).
Data/privacy & telecom complaints with NPC (if your personal data was abused) and NTC (SIM fraud/SMS spam; telco cooperation).
Civil action for sum of money/damages (attach/trace assets) when you can identify a Philippine entity, property, or officers.

You do not have to pick only one. File criminal, regulatory, and financial tracks simultaneously to maximize recovery, tracing, and takedown.

I. Criminal Route (Primary)

A. NBI – Cybercrime Division

When: Any online scam, phishing, account takeover, crypto/e-wallet theft, fake “casino” apps/websites, or refusal to release winnings. What to allege:

Estafa (Art. 315, RPC) / swindling;
Illegal gambling (PD 1602, as amended) if the operator is unlicensed;
Computer-related fraud / identity theft / access offenses (R.A. 10175, Cybercrime Prevention Act), which qualify or increase penalties when ICT is used. Why NBI: National reach, digital forensics, MLAT/Interpol coordination if the operator is abroad.

B. PNP – Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG)

When: Same fact set; ideal for immediate police action, complaint blotter, device seizure assistance (with warrants), and on-the-ground coordination with banks/e-wallets.

Tip: File with both NBI and PNP-ACG. Provide identical evidence packets and cross-reference complaint numbers so agencies can coordinate and issue freeze/hold requests faster.

II. Gaming Regulator (Verification, Takedown Aid)

PAGCOR (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation)

When:

The platform claims to be PAGCOR-licensed (logo use, “Philippine license,” “POGO” claims);
The operator targets Philippine players (PHP deposits, local ads, bank/e-wallet rails). What PAGCOR can do:
Confirm licensing status (most scam sites are unlicensed);
Refer to enforcement for blocking and criminal referral;
Proceed against licensed entities for violations (sanctions, suspension) if the complaint is legit.

If a site uses the PAGCOR logo, include screenshots; false use is an aggravating factor.

III. Financial & Recovery Route (Banks, E-Wallets, Crypto)

A. Banks/E-Wallets/Cards

File dispute/chargeback or incident report immediately:

Credit/debit cards: chargeback for fraud/merchandise not received;
E-wallets/bank transfers: request freeze of recipient account(s), citing fraud and attaching the police/NBI complaint;
Proof to submit: transfer refs, timestamps, device/IP, screenshots, chat logs, merchant descriptors, and KYC info of recipient (if visible).

If the provider is unresponsive or mishandles the case, raise a complaint with the BSP (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas) for regulated institutions.

B. Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASP)

If you paid in crypto, lodge a fraud report with the exchange you used and the exchange that received funds (if known). Provide transaction hashes. Many exchanges cooperate on freezes when funds are still on-platform.

Speed matters: The sooner the report, the higher the chance of freezing funds before they hop addresses.

IV. Investment / Consumer Protection Overlays

A. SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission)

When: The “casino” is really an investment/affiliate program (e.g., “recharge to earn,” “VIP tiers,” guaranteed ROI, referral bonuses) or sells unregistered securities. Effect: SEC can issue advisories/cease-and-desist, refer criminal charges, and amplify law-enforcement action.

B. DTI – Fair Trade / E-Commerce

When: A Philippine-based company/person markets a deceptive “gaming” service (fake promos, non-disclosure of odds, bait-and-switch). DTI can pursue unfair trade practices against local traders and assist in mediation/refund where feasible.

V. Privacy & Telecom Aids

NPC (National Privacy Commission): If your personal data was harvested/abused (KYC photos reused, doxxing, identity theft), file a privacy complaint.
NTC (National Telecommunications Commission): For spam/SIM fraud, phishing SMS, or spoofed calls; NTC coordinates with telcos for blocking/suspension of numbers and site access (upon proper referrals).

VI. Civil Action (Recovery & Deterrence)

If you can identify a Philippine person/entity (marketing arm, payment mule, “agent”), sue for:

Sum of money/damages (estafa-based civil liability, unjust enrichment);
Injunction/attachment (Rule 57) to freeze assets early;
Discovery and subpoenas to banks/telcos for records;
Small Claims if your claim is within the current threshold (fast, documentary, no lawyers required for appearance). Barangay conciliation applies only when all parties are natural persons in the same city/municipality and the case is civil (not criminal).

VII. How to Choose the Right Door (Decision Map)

Is the site PAGCOR-licensed?
- Yes/Unsure: File with PAGCOR and law enforcement.
- No/obviously fake: Go straight to NBI/PNP-ACG + financial disputes.
Did you pay via bank/e-wallet/card/crypto?
- Yes: File provider dispute immediately; attach your police/NBI report; ask for freeze/trace.
- Crypto: Include hashes and wallets; alert the receiving VASP/exchange.
Is it an investment-style “casino”?
- Yes: Add SEC complaint (unregistered securities/pyramid).
- No: Stick with criminal + PAGCOR + financial.
Is your data compromised?
- Yes: Add NPC complaint; change credentials; enable MFA.

VIII. Evidence You Need (Build This Packet Once)

Identity & timeline: your full name, contacts, device used, dates/times (PH time).
Platform details: domain(s), app name, download source, social media pages, screenshots (login, balances, error messages, chat/mod messages, T&Cs).
Payments: bank/e-wallet receipts, card statements, transaction hashes, merchant descriptors, reference numbers.
Counterparty info: recipient names, account numbers, wallet addresses, telegram/WhatsApp/FB handles, referrer’s details.
Harm summary: total loss, failed withdrawal attempts, threats/coercion (if any).
Tech traces (if available): IP logs, email headers, device IDs.
Witnesses: referrers/upline, co-victims (names and statements).

Preserve originals. Export PDFs of chats/emails with visible timestamps; avoid altering images—authenticity matters.

IX. What Laws Typically Apply (for your affidavit)

Revised Penal Code (Estafa/Swindling) – deceit or abuse of confidence to obtain your money.
PD 1602 (illegal gambling) and related special laws – operating a gambling game without authority; players can be witnesses; operators and abetters are targets.
R.A. 10175 (Cybercrime) – computer-related fraud, illegal access, identity theft; acts committed through ICT qualify the offense and may raise penalties.
R.A. 8799 / SEC rules – if there’s an investment contract masquerading as gaming.
R.A. 9160 as amended (AMLA) – banks/e-wallets/VASPs must report/freeze suspicious flows; cite this to encourage provider action.

X. Practical Playbook (Step-by-Step)

Stop further contact & payments. Do not “verify” through new deposits.
Secure accounts: change passwords, enable MFA, freeze compromised cards/wallets.
Assemble your evidence packet (Section VIII).
File criminal complaints with NBI and/or PNP-ACG (get control numbers).
File provider disputes (bank/e-wallet/card/VASP) the same day; attach police/NBI filings; request freeze/trace.
Complain to PAGCOR (licensing status, misuse of logo), and if investment-style, to SEC; if there’s deceptive local advertising, to DTI.
Add NPC/NTC reports if your data/SIM were abused.
Consider civil action (attach/ injunction) if you can identify a local person/entity or assets.
Track and update: send any new intel (recipient accounts, new domains) to all agencies and your financial providers.

XI. Special Situations

You used a friend’s account (“mule”) to deposit: That friend may face account freezes; both of you should submit affidavits clarifying roles.
You were recruited by a local “agent”: Name them in complaints; they are often the enforceable link for civil recovery.
Minors/Students: Parents/guardians can file; include proof of minority and any coercion/threat patterns.

XII. Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can I get my money back? There’s no guarantee, but early freeze/chargeback/trace significantly improves odds. Many recoveries come from provider freezes and asset restraint—hence the need to file fast and in parallel.

Q2: I “gambled”—am I in trouble if I report? Victims of fraud should still report. The focus is on unlicensed operators, deceit, and cyber offenses. Cooperate truthfully; agencies target the operators, not complainants acting in good faith.

Q3: The site is abroad—still worth filing? Yes. NBI/PNP work with foreign counterparts, and payment rails (local banks/e-wallets/VASPs) are often domestic, enabling freezes and referrals.

Q4: Should I confront the scammer? No. Preserve evidence, block scammers, and let law enforcement handle it. Confrontations alert them to move funds.

XIII. One-Page Checklist (Print This)

☐ Stop payments; secure accounts (MFA, card freeze).
☐ Evidence packet: screenshots, receipts, hashes, domains, chats.
☐ File NBI and/or PNP-ACG complaints (get control #s).
☐ File bank/e-wallet/card/VASP disputes; ask for freeze/trace.
☐ Complain to PAGCOR (licensing/misuse); if investment-style, add SEC; deceptive local ads → DTI.
☐ Data/SIM abuse → NPC/NTC.
☐ Consider civil suit (attachment) against local agents/entities.
☐ Update all filings when new intel/payees/domains appear.

Key Takeaways

Use a multi-track approach: criminal + regulatory + financial—the three together create the best chance for freezes, takedowns, and recovery.
Time is everything: file immediately and preserve clean, timestamped evidence.
Don’t be deterred by cross-border elements—payments and local promoters are often within reach.
You can layer privacy/telecom and civil remedies to widen pressure and potential recovery.

If you want, I can draft (1) a model affidavit/complaint you can adapt for NBI/PNP-ACG, (2) a bank/e-wallet dispute letter demanding freeze/chargeback (with AML citations), and (3) a civil complaint template with a ready attachment motion.