Where to Report Online Scams and Fraud in the Philippines
A practical legal guide for consumers, businesses, and practitioners
1. Why reporting matters
Online fraud is prosecutable under Philippine law. Prompt reporting:
- stops further victimization and preserves digital evidence;
- triggers investigation by specialized cybercrime units;
- helps regulators freeze assets (e-wallets, bank accounts, domains, SIMs); and
- is often a condition for refunds from banks, e-wallets, and merchant platforms.
No barangay conciliation is required for criminal cybercrimes; you may go straight to law-enforcement or the prosecutor’s office.
2. Core legal framework
| Statute | Key Offences Relevant to Online Scams |
|---|---|
| R.A. 10175 – Cybercrime Prevention Act (2012) | computer-related fraud, phishing, online identity theft, swindling via ICT, unlawful access |
| R.A. 8484 – Access Devices Regulation Act (1998) | credit/debit-card fraud, skimming, fraudulent online card use |
| R.A. 8792 – E-Commerce Act (2000) | electronic documents, admissibility of digital evidence |
| R.A. 7394 – Consumer Act & DTI Department Administrative Orders | deceptive online sales, false advertising |
| R.A. 11765 – Financial Products and Services Consumer Protection Act (2022) | mandates banks, e-wallets to resolve fraud complaints and coordinate with regulators |
| R.A. 10173 – Data Privacy Act | unauthorized disclosure/ harvesting of personal data for phishing |
| Revised Penal Code (Art. 315 estafa etc.) | classic swindling, now often committed “by means of the internet” |
Cybercrime cases are heard by designated Regional Trial Courts (RTC) sitting as Cybercrime Courts pursuant to A.M. No. 17-11-03-SC.
3. Principal reporting channels
| Scenario | Primary Agency | How to file |
|---|---|---|
| Any cyber fraud, phishing, investment or romance scam, seller no-delivery, fake payment screenshots | PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) | Walk-in (Camp Crame HQ or any Regional ACG office); 24/7 hotline (02) 8920-8088; email acg@pnp.gov.ph; “E-Complaint” form on the ACG Facebook page; attach screenshots/chat logs, transaction IDs, URLs, wallet numbers |
| High-value or syndicated fraud; cross-border or government-employee involvement | NBI Cybercrime Division (CCD) | NBI online complaint portal (complaints@nbi.gov.ph); or in-person at NBI Main, Taft Ave.; bring two IDs & Affidavit of Complaint |
| Incidents involving critical information infrastructure, large-scale data breaches | DICT–Cybercrime Investigation and Coordination Center (CICC) / CERT-PH | Email report@cert.ph or fill CICC incident form; they coordinate with PNP/NBI & issue takedown requests to ISPs |
| Bank account takeover, unauthorized fund transfers, spoofed fund collection links | Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) – Consumer Assistance Mechanism | Via BSP Online Buddy (BOB) chatbot, consumeraffairs@bsp.gov.ph, or (02) 8708-7087; also report to your bank’s fraud desk within 15 days to preserve refund rights under BSP Circular 1160 |
| e-Wallets (GCash, Maya) fraud or mule accounts | E-wallet provider + BSP | Use in-app “Help Center ▸ Report a Scam,” then escalate to BSP if unresolved in 15 days |
| Unregistered investment platforms / crypto Ponzi schemes | Securities and Exchange Commission – Enforcement and Investor Protection Dept. | Email epd@sec.gov.ph with proof; SEC may issue advisories, cease-and-desist, asset freeze |
| Online retail scams, fake or counterfeit goods | Department of Trade and Industry – Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB) | File complaint via consumercomplaints@dti.gov.ph or https://consumer.dti.gov.ph; mediation within 10 days, then adjudication |
| Insurance, pre-need, HMO-related online fraud | Insurance Commission (IC) | publicassistance@insurance.gov.ph or walk-in |
| Text blast / SMS phishing, SIM fraud | National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) | Hotline 1326, email consumer@ntc.gov.ph; NTC can direct telcos to block numbers |
| Privacy breaches tied to scam | National Privacy Commission (NPC) | Complaints portal privacy.gov.ph; 15-day filing window from discovery |
4. Step-by-step reporting checklist
Secure evidence immediately
- screenshots (include URLs & timestamps)
- email headers (.eml), chat exports, SMS forwarding
- bank/e-wallet transaction history (PDF)
- tracking numbers, invoices, advertisements, social-media posts
Draft a detailed affidavit
- parties’ names, aliases, numbers, email, social-media handles
- chronology (dates in YYYY-MM-DD format)
- amount lost, mode of payment, reference numbers
- attach certified true copies of IDs & proof of authority if filing for a company
File with the correct agency (table above). Keep the acknowledgment/complaint reference number.
Simultaneously notify your bank/e-wallet/card issuer in writing. Under BSP rules they must respond in 2 days and resolve in 15-30 days, pending the law-enforcement case.
If the scammer used a Philippine mobile number or domain, request blocking/takedown through DICT-CICC (for domains) and NTC (for numbers).
Follow up every 15-30 days; agencies often require supplemental evidence.
5. Parallel civil and administrative remedies
- Refund / chargeback: Card schemes (Visa, Mastercard) allow chargebacks within 120 days of transaction posting. A police report or NBI referral accelerates approval.
- Small Claims (A.M. No. 08-8-7-SC): Victims can sue for up to ₱1 million without a lawyer; judgments are enforceable against local assets.
- Asset freezing: Under R.A. 9160 (AML Act) the Anti-Money Laundering Council can issue 20-day freeze orders ex parte on scammer accounts once referred by NBI/PNP.
- Temporary restraining orders vs. ongoing phishing websites via CICC/DICT.
6. Penalties snapshot
| Offence | Imprisonment | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Computer-related estafa (R.A. 10175 §6 in relation to RPC Art. 315) | prisión mayor (6 yrs 1 day–12 yrs); cybercrime imposes 1 degree higher so up to reclusión temporal (20 yrs) if qualified | Amount defrauded + up to double |
| Access Devices fraud (R.A. 8484) | 6 yrs–20 yrs | ₱10,000–₱500,000 or twice the value, whichever is higher |
| Unregistered securities, Ponzi (Securities Regulation Code §28, §73) | 7 yrs–21 yrs | ₱50,000–₱5 million + triple the gain |
| SIM-swap / interference with device (R.A. 10175 §5) | 6 yrs–12 yrs | up to ₱500,000 |
Conviction carries accessory penalties (deportation for aliens, forfeiture of devices, permanent SEC/DTI disqualification).
7. Practical tips for faster redress
- Use affidavits of witness–technicians (Rule 9, Rules on Electronic Evidence) to authenticate screenshots.
- Send the scammer a demand letter via email and registered mail; some return the money to avoid prosecution, which is an implied admission.
- Victims abroad may file through the nearest Philippine Embassy (R.A. 10022 on Migrant Workers).
- For minors, parents/guardians file in loco parentis.
- Consider private complainant’s counsel: you can claim attorney’s fees and 15% of recovery under Art. 2208 NCC.
8. Frequently asked questions
| Question | Short Answer |
|---|---|
| Can I report anonymously? | Yes, PNP-ACG’s iReport accepts anonymous tips, but prosecution needs a sworn complainant. |
| How long does a cyber-fraud case take? | 30–60 days for fact-finding; 60-90 days for prosecutor resolution; trial may last 1–3 years; plea-bargaining is common. |
| Will I have to appear in court? | If you executed the affidavit, you may be subpoenaed for judicial affidavit & cross-examination. |
| Can I sue Facebook/Marketplace? | Platforms have safe-harbor (E-Commerce Act §30) unless you prove “actual knowledge” and failure to act after notice. |
9. Key contact cheat-sheet (save or screenshot)
- PNP-ACG 24/7 hotline: (02) 8920-8088 • Viber +63 917 115-2295
- NBI-CCD: (02) 8523-8231 local 3454 • ccd@nbi.gov.ph
- BSP BOB chatbot: https://www.bsp.gov.ph/BOB
- CERT-PH Incident Desk: report@cert.ph • (02) 8920-0101 loc 1708
- SEC EIPD: epd@sec.gov.ph • (02) 8818-0921
- DTI Consumer Care: 1384 hotline • consumercomplaints@dti.gov.ph
10. Conclusion
The Philippines has clear venues and procedures to pursue online scammers—but success depends on swift, well-documented reports. By filing with the correct agency, preserving electronic evidence, and leveraging both criminal and consumer-protection mechanisms, victims can maximize their chances of recovering losses and securing the conviction or administrative sanction of offenders.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a Philippine lawyer or accredited cybersecurity professional for advice on specific cases.