Text Message Warrant of Arrest Scam Philippines

Text Message “Warrant of Arrest” Scam (Philippines): A Comprehensive Legal Guide

Short version: Courts and law-enforcement in the Philippines do not serve warrants of arrest by SMS—and they will never ask you to pay fees or “bail” via e-wallet links. If you received a text threatening arrest unless you click a link or pay, it’s a scam. Preserve evidence, do not engage, and report it.

What this scam looks like

Common patterns:

  • “You have a pending case… a warrant of arrest has been issued. Click this link / contact ‘Atty. X’ / pay ‘bail’ now.”

  • Claims to be from PNP/NBI/DOJ or a “Regional Trial Court,” often with:

    • shortened or look-alike links,
    • GCash/PayMaya numbers, QR codes, or bank accounts,
    • fake docket numbers, images of a “warrant,” seals, or letterheads,
    • caller ID spoofing to show “PNP,” “NBI,” or a local station.

  • Variants threaten “cyber libel,” “e-subpoena,” “surveillance,” or “immigration hold.”

Red flags:

  • Any payment request or click-this-link demand.
  • “Settle now or we will arrest you today.”
  • Bad grammar/misspellings; odd URLs; pressure to keep the call/text “confidential.”

The real law: how warrants work in the Philippines

  • Only a judge issues a warrant of arrest after finding probable cause in a criminal case.
  • Service of a warrant is conducted in person by law-enforcement officers; you don’t “acknowledge” or “settle” a warrant by SMS or e-mail.
  • Bail (for bailable offenses) is posted with the court or in accordance with lawful procedures—never by sending money to a personal e-wallet.
  • Prosecutors may send lawful notices (e.g., subpoenas) through formal channels (personal service, registered mail, official e-mail per rules) but not via random text with a payment link.

Bottom line: If it’s truly a warrant, officers appear physically; no legitimate officer will demand e-wallet payments to “lift” it.

Applicable crimes & liabilities (for perpetrators)

Depending on the facts, scammers may violate:

  • Revised Penal Code (RPC)

    • Estafa (Art. 315) – deceit to obtain money.
    • Grave threats (Art. 282) – threats to do an unlawful act to extort.
    • Usurpation of authority (Art. 177) – pretending to be a public officer.
    • Illegal use of uniforms/insignia (Art. 179) – using PNP/NBI emblems to deceive.
    • Falsification (Arts. 171–172) – forging court orders/warrants or public documents.

  • Cybercrime Prevention Act (RA 10175)

    • Computer-related fraud, forgery, identity theft—when the scam uses ICT (websites, spoofed IDs, phishing pages). Penalties are qualified (harsher) when committed through ICT.

  • Data Privacy Act (RA 10173)

    • Unauthorized processing / misuse of personal data taken from leaks, phishing, or data brokers.

  • SIM Registration Act (RA 11934)

    • Use of fraudulently registered SIMs to commit crimes; penalties include SIM deactivation and criminal sanctions.

  • Financial Consumer Protection Act (RA 11765)

    • If banks/e-wallets are involved, regulators (BSP/SEC/IC) may impose administrative action; victims may seek redress through regulated entities’ complaint mechanisms.

What to do if you receive the message

  1. Don’t click, don’t pay, don’t reply. Ignoring cuts off social-engineering leverage.

  2. Preserve evidence.

    • Take screenshots of the text, number, time, links, and any attached images.
    • If you clicked (it happens), record what page appeared and any credentials you entered.
    • Keep transaction receipts if you paid (GCash refs, bank slips).

  3. Secure your accounts/devices.

    • Change passwords; enable MFA (email, e-wallets, banking, social media).
    • Run an AV/malware scan; consider resetting the device if you installed anything.
    • Contact your bank/e-wallet immediately to freeze or flag suspicious transfers.

  4. Report.

    • PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) – file a complaint; give screenshots and numbers.
    • NBI Cybercrime Division – especially for cross-border or complex fraud.
    • Your telco – request blocking of numbers/URLs; provide evidence.
    • National Privacy Commission (NPC) – if your personal data appears compromised.
    • Regulator or provider (BSP-regulated banks, e-wallets) – file a dispute/chargeback where possible.

  5. If the message contains a real name or office (judge, prosecutor, or station):

    • Independently look up the court or office’s official phone (don’t use numbers in the message).
    • Call to verify. Do not forward the scammer’s materials unless asked by the office.

If you already sent money

  • Act fast. Contact the bank/e-wallet within minutes/hours to request reversal/hold (outcomes vary, but speed helps).

  • File a criminal complaint with PNP ACG/NBI. Attach:

    • Affidavit narrating events,
    • IDs, device numbers (IMEI if relevant), SIM details,
    • Screenshots, links, call logs,
    • Proof of transfers (reference nos., account names, QR codes).

  • Consider a civil action for damages against identified perpetrators. Coordinate with counsel on venue and causes of action (fraud, deceit, privacy violations).

  • Ask your lawyer about subpoenas to providers (e.g., for subscriber info, IP logs) via proper channels.

How to verify any “case” claim—safely

  • Never use contact info in the message. Use official directories or known numbers for:

    • Local PNP station or the court’s Office of the Clerk of Court,
    • Prosecutor’s Office where you reside or where the alleged offense occurred.

  • Ask for the docket number and case title; courts can confirm if a case exists.

  • For genuine subpoenas/complaints, you’ll see proper service, stamped documents, and no request for off-channel payments.

Corporate / school playbook (for admins & compliance)

  • Policy: “No clicking, no paying, no replying” for any legal-threat texts.

  • Training: Short, repeated modules on social-engineering and local scam variants.

  • Controls:

    • Mobile threat defense, link filters on managed devices, DNS blocking of known phishing.
    • Central incident mailbox and hotline.
    • Vendor due diligence for SMS broadcast providers; require originator IDs and filtering.

  • Response:

    • 1-page runbook (who to call, what to collect, where to report).
    • Pre-approved employee advisory template (below).
    • Quarterly tabletop on “warrant” scams.

Employee advisory template (internal notice)

Team, we’re seeing SMS claiming a “warrant of arrest” unless you click/pay. Courts do not serve warrants by text. Do not click or pay. Take screenshots, then forward to [security@company.ph]. If you clicked or paid, call IT and [Bank/E-Wallet Hotline] immediately.

Model affidavit of complaint (victim)

AFFIDAVIT OF COMPLAINT I, [Name], Filipino, of legal age, residing at [Address], after having been duly sworn, depose and say:

  1. On [date/time], I received a text from mobile no. [number] stating [exact wording or attach screenshot] demanding payment to avoid a “warrant of arrest.”
  2. The message contained [link/QR/e-wallet no.]. I [did/did not] click/pay. If paid, I transferred PHP [amount] to [details] at [time], reference no. [ref].
  3. I believe I was deceived by respondents who falsely represented themselves as [PNP/NBI/court].
  4. Attached are Annex “A” (screenshots), Annex “B” (transaction proofs), Annex “C” (call logs). I respectfully request the filing of charges for [Estafa under Art. 315 RPC; Violation of RA 10175 (computer-related fraud/identity theft); Usurpation of authority Art. 177 RPC; Falsification Art. 172 RPC; and other offenses as warranted]. [Signature] / [Jurat/Notarization]

(Your lawyer or the receiving office can tailor charges based on the facts.)

Preventive checklist for individuals

  • Treat any legal threat by SMS as malicious until independently verified.
  • Use MFA everywhere; keep e-wallet limits conservative.
  • Hide your number on public profiles; avoid posting IDs/case details online.
  • Keep telco spam filters on; report phishing numbers.
  • Update devices; don’t sideload apps from links in messages.

FAQs

Can a court text me about a hearing? Not via random SMS with links or payment requests. Official notices use recognized channels. When in doubt, verify using publicly listed numbers.

The text had my full name and address. Are they legit? Not necessarily. Scammers harvest data from leaks, public documents, or social media. Possessing your personal info does not make the message legitimate.

What if a real officer calls me? Ask for their name, rank, station, and a callback number. Hang up. Independently look up the station’s public number and call the desk officer. Genuine officers will not demand e-wallet payments.

If I ignore a real warrant, will I be arrested? A real warrant is served in person. Ignoring a text has no legal effect because texts are not how warrants are served.

Key takeaways

  • No Philippine court or law-enforcement serves or lifts warrants by SMS.
  • Never click links or send money in response to legal-threat texts.
  • Preserve evidence, secure your accounts, and report to PNP ACG/NBI; engage your bank/e-wallet for urgent holds.
  • Offenders can face RPC, RA 10175, RA 10173, RA 11934, and related liabilities.

Friendly disclaimer

This guide provides general information on Philippine law and practice against text-based “warrant of arrest” scams. It is not legal advice for a specific case. If you were targeted or suffered a loss, consult a Philippine lawyer and report promptly to authorities.

Disclaimer: This content is not legal advice and may involve AI assistance. Information may be inaccurate.

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