Online scams on rise, still top on list of cybercrime complaints
The Philippine National Police (PNP)’s Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) noted a significant rise in online scam cases from the whole of last year up to the start of 2017.
From 2016 up to present, a total of 555 online scam complaints were received by the ACG, 44 of which were recorded since the start of 2017.
The 555 recent online scam cases is higher than cases recorded in recent years.
In the period covering 2013, 2014, and 2015. the ACG received 1,211 cybercrime complaints, of which only 366 involved online scams.
“Online scam still gets the most number of walk-in complaints received and investigated by the PNP ACG (Anti-Cybercrime Group),” Senior Supt. Marni Marcos Jr., acting director of the ACG, said on Friday.
Marcos said the complaints came mostly from victims of online buying and selling, “paluwagan” (peer lending circles), investment, pyramid and other forms of online fraud.
Online scam offenses fall under the Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code or Swindling (Estafa).
Following are the other cases recorded from 2016 to the present by the ACG:
- online libel: 522
- online threat: 226
- anti-photo and video voyeurism: 202
- computer-related identity theft: 197
- hacking: 127
Other cases investigated by PNP-ACG based on walk-in complaints are unjust vexation, sextortion, atm and credit card fraud, child abuse, illegal access, child pornography, and violations of the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children (VAWC) Act of 2004 (Republic Act no. 9269).
“With the increasing number of internet users there is also an increase in the opportunity for cyber criminals to do their illegal online activities,” Marcos said.
He then encouraged the public to report incidents to the ACG for proper evaluation and investigation.
“They may also file their complaints or report incidents through our website www.pnpacg.ph, hotline number 723-0401 local 5313 or e-mail at [email protected]. Also they can check our twitter @PNPACG and Facebook account: PNP ACG for cyber security updates,” he said. /atm
