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Online scam tops cybercrime complaints
Online scam still gets the most number of walk-in complaints received and investigated by the Philippine National Po (Photo: Marc Di Luzio/ Flickr)
MANILA –Online scam still gets the most number of walk-in complaints received and investigated by the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG).
According to PNP-ACG Acting Director Senior Supt. Marni Marcos, Jr., the group has investigated a total of 555 online scam cases from 2016 up to present which falls under the Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC) or swindling (estafa).
Fourty-four of the 555 total online scam cases cover the period of year 2017 up to present.
On the other hand, 522 cases are recorded under online libel, 226 under online threat, 202 under anti-photo and video voyeurism, 197 under computer related identity theft and 127 under hacking all dated from 2016 up to present.
Other cases investigated by the PNP-ACG based on walk-in complaints are unjust vexation, sextortion, ATM (automated teller machine) and credit card fraud, child abuse, illegal access, child pornography, and Republic Act No. 9262, or “Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act of 2004”.
“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.
In 2013 to 2015, the PNP-ACG recorded a total of 1,211 cases that represent the number of cybercrime complaints received and investigated by the Group.
The online scam complaints were reported by victims of online buying/selling, paluwagan, investment, pyramid and other forms of online fraud.
In order to address the increasing number of cybercrime, victims of illegal online activities or targets of suspicious online messages are encouraged to report the incidents to the PNP-ACG for proper evaluation and investigation.
“They may also file their complaints or report incidents through our website www.pnpacg.ph, hotline number 7230401 loc 5313 or e-mail at pnp.anticybercrimegroup@gmail. com. Also they can check our twitter @PNPACG and Facebook account: PNP ACG for cyber security updates,” Marcos added.
