Filipinos must be wary of online scams

The Philippines has been experiencing a cybercrime spike, so Filipinos must be vigilant. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime discovered the number of cybercrimes increased by 433% from 2017 to 2021. Moreover, credit reporting agency TransUnion says 8.7% of digital transactions in the Philippines were likely fraudulent over 2022.

You are more likely to fall victim to these schemes if you’re unaware. As a result, you may risk leaking your sensitive information to unscrupulous individuals. The effects could be worse if you have an online business. Fortunately, the country has provided ample resources and tools to help Filipinos stay safe in our increasingly digital world.

This article will cover some of the most common online scams. Then, I will discuss one of the Philippines’ latest digital solutions from a government partnership with a foreign firm.

What are the types of online scams?

The Internet connects us to everyone worldwide, including shady individuals from other countries. Consequently, the Philippines faces more risks from all over the world.

One of the most common online scams involves business or investment opportunities. A fraudster may promise financial freedom by putting money into a fund or cryptocurrency.

They usually promise you’ll earn huge sums of money from interest. However, your “account” may not be accessible unless you allocate more funding. Here are other prevalent online fraud types:

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• Social media emails: Someone may impersonate your friend, asking you to send money in digital currency. Others may pose as celebrities and solicit money from their followers.
• Fake websites: Scammers can create fake versions of popular websites. Consequently, they can fool unsuspecting folks and steal their money and personal data.
• Fake mobile apps: Online scams may ask people to download apps that let strangers access your phone remotely.

What is the Philippines’ latest cybercrime solution?

Photo Credit: CICC

On September 18, 2023, the Philippines gained a new tool against online scams. CICC Executive Director Alexander K. Ramos signed a memorandum of understanding with Gogolook COO Manwoo Joo.

Gogolook is a Taiwan-based online risk management firm known for its excellent mobile solutions like Whoscall. This app helps users spot unknown numbers, filter suspicious messages, and block spam calls.

Ramos stated the MOU shows the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordination Center’s determination to fight scams and the people behind them.

“This MOU with Gogolook is a major step forward in our efforts to protect Filipinos from scams. I’m happy to welcome Gogolook and their product Whoscall to the Philippines, increasing the protection of cybersecurity for the Filipinos,” Ramos said.

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“This collaboration with Whoscall underlines that fighting fraud is not a singular endeavor but a cohesive effort. We are truly glad to have Gogolook by our side in this pivotal journey,” he added.

Gogolook COO Manwoo Joo was also excited to collaborate with the CICC to combat online scams in the Philippines. “This collaboration is a momentous occasion that shows a joint front against scammers to help stay ahead of the evolving methods of scammers and fraudsters worldwide,” he said.

“With help from CICC, we can build a stronger anti-fraud network, which already includes various police and government agencies from Thailand, Taiwan, Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea,” Joo added.

Conclusion

The Philippines has steadily kept up with the world by boosting its digitalization efforts. However, that innovation brings more risks from around the world.

Fortunately, the CICC and other government agencies search and create more solutions to protect the nation from cyber threats. The Gogolook partnership is one of its latest tools against online scams.

However, every Filipino needs the latest information to keep up with growing online threats. Start by checking more digital tips and trends at Inquirer Tech.