Report scams now! While more and more Filipinos fall prey to different forms of scams, many still underestimate the gravity of filing formal reports to the proper authorities.
Others seem contented, or maybe in hopelessness and mindless resolve, simply sharing their plights and complaints through Facebook comment sections. That’s another big problem!
Scams are rip-offs, or fraudulent schemes performed by dishonest or deceitful individuals, groups, or companies in an attempt to solicit and obtain money or something else in value.
Scammers usually employ confidence tricks where they misrepresent themselves as authority figures such as lawyers, investors, bank representatives, and others. Here are the common warning signs or red flags of scams:
6 Warning Signs (Red Flags) of Scams
Before you report scams and other suspicious business and investment transactions to our local authorities, do a little research first on warning signs or red flags already observed and experienced.
However, if you have made money transfers and been already scammed as what you feel and believe, verify the legitimacy and legality of the other party and seek help right away.
[1] You receive investment and other business proposals through unsolicited email and SMS messages. Mostly, these unsolicited emails are received from suspicious email domains or from free email providers such as Yahoo or Gmail.
While you’re being addressed with generic expressions, grammatical and typographical errors are also evident throughout their messages. Might as well, many scammers do not have registered landline numbers; hence, they contact you by mobile phones.
[2] You’re asked to provide your sensitive information such as credit card and bank account numbers, login passwords, and others. Your bank doesn’t and should never ask for your account login credentials, but scammers do.
If email requests come from your bank because of the seemingly reliable source address, don’t provide your information right away. Better make a call first or visit your servicing branch.
[3] You’re guaranteed investment profits and extremely fast transactions which are too good to be true. Scammers promise you surefire investment profits far ahead the existing market rates, but their systems and strategies are ambiguous and obscure.
Others even ask you to make money transfers first before you even submit necessary documents.
[4] You’re pressured that if you don’t grab the offer now, you’ll lose the opportunity. When you’re demanded to invest what you have in your savings or pocket, as in on the spot, then should you have a second thought. It’s a scam!
Legit investments require full understanding and informed decisions, and all legit agents believe that you need more time to think about them.
[5] You’re asked to pay upfront fees for their services. If they’re legit then they should be collecting service or processing fees right at the completion of your transactions, or most likely, no fees at all.
Equally obvious, you’re not even issued BIR official receipts after settlement, while others simply ask you to deposit payments casually to their bank accounts.
[6] You make transactions with them somewhere else, not in their office. You’re asked to meet them at the mall or fast-food restaurant because they don’t have any physical address.
They don’t have any decent office, and their business registration cannot be verified with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) or Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). In other words, they run fly-by-night business operations. Search Google for more red flags.
Investment Scam Checklist (Securities and Exchange Commission)
As per the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), if you come across any investment offer by phone, email, flyers, newspaper ads, or directly by any person or by any other means, and promising earnings or profits which are too good to be true, you must get the following information:
- Name of the Person and the Company Making the Offer
- Address of Both the Person and the Company
- Phone Number (Do not accept cellular phone number)
- SEC Registration as an Investment Taker. Be reminded that SEC company registration alone does not grant authority to sell investment instruments. Only investment houses and financing companies with QB (quasi-banking) license and with SEC registered securities may offer to sell investment instruments to more than 19 investors. Only SEC registered persons such as brokers, dealers, and salesmen may offer and sell SEC registered securities to the public.
SEC also advises that you do not deal with them if:
- They are unwilling to give any of the information mentioned.
- They do not have SEC registration or appropriate license to engage in the selling of investment instruments.
- They fail to give additional information such as number of investors, minimum placement, rate of return, and others, and not listed on the SEC official website.
Lastly, you can prevent these scammers from making more victims by:
- Reporting to the Enforcement and Investor Protection Department (02) 8584-6337; and,
- Seeking NBI or police assistance in case of emergency situations.
How and Where to Report Scams in the Philippines
You better report scams to local authorities right away instead of seeking help and advice from support groups on social media. Yes, you may receive words of sympathy for your misfortune, but not the legal actions that you need.
In the Philippines, we have various government agencies and authorities that you can reach out to for specific cases of scams. You can always make a call through their hotline numbers, send email messages, or still the best, visit their offices.
While I haven’t tried to report scams because I haven’t experienced one, I rest assured that these agencies can help you. You just have to cooperate.
- Insurance Commission
- 1071 United Nations Avenue, Ermita, Manila,
- www.insurance.gov.ph | [email protected]
- 8523-8461 (to 70) | Local 111, 130
You may report scams and bogus solicitations related to life and non-life insurance, mutual benefits, and trusts for charitable purposes.
- Department of Trade and Industry
- 385 Industry and Investments Bldg., Gil Puyat Ave., Makati City
- www.dti.gov.ph | fteb@dti.gov.ph | [email protected] | DTI Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau
- (+632) 8751-0384 (Trunk Line) | (+632) 8975-7965 (Complaints)
You may report scams and verify suspicious transactions (sole proprietors) such as pyramiding, deceptive or false advertising, unfair business practices, selling of substandard products, and unfair packaging of goods.
- Securities and Exchange Commission
- Secretariat Building, PICC Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City
- www.sec.gov.ph | [email protected] | Enforcement and Investor Protection Department
- 8818-0921 (Trunk Line) | 818-5704 (Hotline)
You may report scams in almost all forms (corporations and other business organizations) from pre-need and insurance scams to investment and pyramiding. You may also verify whether they do have the license to sell investment instruments or solicit funds.
- Public Attorney’s Office
- 4th & 5th Floors DOJ Agencies Building, Diliman, Quezon City
- www.pao.gov.ph | [email protected]
- (02) 8929-9436 (Hotline) | Local 106, 107, 159
You may report scams and seek legal assistance especially if you belong to the oppressed, marginalized, and underprivileged Filipinos who cannot afford legal services.
- Philippine National Police
- Anti-Cybercrime Group Building, Camp Crame, Quezon City
- www.acg.php.gov.ph/eComplaint/ | Anti-Cybercrime Group
- [email protected]
- +63 (02) 8414-1560 | 09985988116 (Hotline)
- (02) 8723-0401 (Local 5313)
You may report scams such as those related to online buying and selling, paluwagan, investment, pyramid, and other forms of online fraud. You may also seek the help of our local law enforcement authorities for criminal cases and others that require immediate and appropriate actions.
- National Bureau of Investigation
- NBI Building, Taft Avenue, Ermita, Manila
- www.nbi.gov.ph | [email protected] | NBI Anti-Fraud Division
- (+632) 8532-8231 to 8532-8238 | (02) 8525-4093
You may also report scams, fraudulent and suspicious transactions, and other related criminal cases to the National Bureau of Investigation.
If you have experiences, and you’ve already tried to report scams to these government agencies and other local authorities, please share them through the comment section below so our fellow kababayans get our guidance through the proper reporting channels and processes. Don’t wait others become victims as well. Report scams now!
Read also:
10 Reasons Many Filipinos Still Fall Prey to Scams and Fraud. This article lists and explores 10 common reasons why many Filipinos still fall victims to fraud and scams which include informal channels and transactions, culture of sharing everything, and lack of media an information literacy, among others.
6 Common Credit Card Scams in the Philippines (Facebook Stories). This article shares the most common credit card scams these days as compiled from social media stories and some basic credit card safety measures.
Hi! I would like to report a scam. They scammed 1400 from me.
Hi Asminah! I know that experiencing scams causes long-term effects, say a trauma. I’m hoping that you’re all good now after the horrible experience. While I am not in authority, rather a humble writer of this informative article, I strongly suggest that your direct the reporting of scam incident to the concerned government agencies as shared. Thanks and always be careful with your future transactions, especially the digital ones.
I would like to make a report. I got scammed by an online seller and I have all of the proof needed such as screetshots of our conversation, their name, number, and address.
Scammers are operating falsely claiming to be US Embassy. How can they be stopped?
Hi, please help me. I got scammed by a digital marketing scheme involving Amazon, Lazada etc. I have given a huge amount of money in return for the commission. I didn’t see anything suspicious at first. I really need my money back. Please help me 🙁 I just want to support my family and earn to finance my studies. Please help.
Hi Cyrille. Have you reported the incident to the PNP, NBI, or even the local authorities like in your barangay? Please share the details of the scam here so to warn others.
Me too 😭. Almost 80k was scammed by an online platform digital marketing from me. I think they are using multiple websites and accounts. It is important to investigate this matter as soon as possible. They even use DTI certificate to convince.
I was actually scammed earlier as well. My fault for believing, but still, I asked to help pull out my money, but they always say they cannot help due to pamany policy. This is also from the same Amazon, Lazada, Shopee Group. If you’ve made a report, let me know and I will show the conversations I have as wel.
I got scammed today for almost 90k, they wanted to recharge 25% of the accumulated commissions plus my deposits for a total amount of 197342.95 which is 49,335.73 pesos. I asked them to return the 90k they took from me. But they insisted to pay the tax first which I must recharge first before I can withdraw the funds. Which is odd.
I encountered a phone scammer, also a GCash user. He promised some money to give for financial help. It’s not good to post your GCash number on Facebook as there are many scammers.
I want to report this number 09361223315. The scammer who called me wanted the GCash OTP. He attempted to open my GCash with the OTP.
I was got scammed also today a total of 10k by https://ttwshopping. I am asking for a refund because the money I spent is for the medication of my husband. They say that I need to complete the task given. But I don’t have any amount left in my account. Can you please help me to refund the money I invest? I really need to buy the medicine. Thanks
Me too. Please help me. I got scammed by a digital marketing scheme involving Waltermart, Amazon, Lazada etc. I have given a huge amount of money in return for the commission. I didn’t see anything suspicious at first. I really need my money back. Please help me 🙁. I just want to support my family. I lost almost 150k. Please help me 😭.
Me, too. I got scammed the same way you had. I still can’t get my money. Where can I report it?
Hi! Have you already reported guys? I was scammed the same way, too.
Same situation, Ma’am.
This is what happened to me right now. I’m try to get back my money but need to complete the task.
Me too. Almost 170k. Prior withdrawal already but as per finance services, cannot send the amount because of transfer limit from gcash is only 100k. Here is the number and name that’ve been used by WALTERMART scammers and used to send the so called ” tax deduction”. Mary Grace de Torres- 09360793281.
I got scammed too like others who posted. They say they are connected with Google and Amazon. They did not scam a lot from me, but I wish you could do something about them because I bet that they have scammed so many people who think they are legit. Please check these numbers +639260211591 and +639453829305. They are many, and they just scam people day in and day out. The least they could get is 1000 pesos, and I guess others get scammed even more money. Imagine they do these to 100 people. I hope you can fine these people. They are the worst of worst. The name Latrina Beier came out. They use so many numbers because they ask to transfer via Gcash. Put down this website UPWORK.
I was scammed yesterday by an online shop which allows you to buy from Amazon, Ebay, Alibaba etc. They first ask you to recharge for only 100 pesos so you can do tasks which is grabbing an order.
The commission depends on the price of an item. The more expensive item you bought, the more commission you can get, so from 100 pesos, to 300 to 900 to 1500 to 3k to 4k. And I stopped because I don’t have enough balance for the last task which climbs to 15k. The mngr. said that I will have a reward of 9999k if I completed the task within the day. I asked for her to change the item to lower price so that I can withdraw my money back but she said I need to complete the task before I can withraw. The company name is Ubuys-shops.
Same like me the account is Greenhill-online.com. The people I transacted were certain Kimberly Diwa and Romalyn Nicole.
I was scam today 12,700. It was a task to like and follow the page a virtual purchase Lazada… At first it was ok. You can withdraw immediately, but as it gets going the value of virtual purchase was getting higher and higher… They even push me to borrow money to others just to complete the task to get a commission… They have group chat MARKETING COOPERATION, and I suspected that I was scammed because the admin was deleting the account on telegram, and they won’t allow me to withdraw my money not until I finished the task which cost a lot of money… They even suggest to borrow money from others just to do the task. Here are the numbers associated with this scam. The payment method to stores in Lazada.
Bank: G-Cash
Name: Shara Ann Enriquez
Account number: 09694226107
The Payment Method To Stores in Lazada:
Bank: G-Cash
Name: Leo Yecla
Number: 09275663311
Amount: 200 PHP
You have received PHP 2,842.00 of GCash from LE*I C. 09694029624 w/ MSG: Your new balance is PHP 2,844.18. Ref. No. 0008453874060.
You have received PHP 580.00 of GCash from ED****O E. 09694232906 w/ MSG:Your new balance is PHP 580.18. Ref. No. 0008451204518.
can we still get our money back? this also happened to me as well but with a different site… I feel so stupid
I was scammed by certain names — Jennifer Lawrence and Richard Clinton, thru payment via GCASH.
I was convinced to invest in Bitcoin trading which is also popular in our country. At first I sent P2K for the investment, then, I was registered to their trading the s9 Mining Company. As if real trading you would see the movement of the trading at the CoinMarket-Cap via Porfolio, I was convinced.
They showed me my profit which is about $1,245.03 (P62K+). I started to doubt with the big profit amount in less than 1-week.
Jennifer Lawrence ask me to pay P10k for the processing. I was shoched. She told me the profit will not be released if I will not pay the P10K. Since I didn’t have the P10k, she offered she would shoulder the P5k, and I would pay her as soon as the profit was released. It seemed that she was good girl, she even told to wait for 7 hrs for the processing. Came more than 1-day, I asked her what’s the update because I was excited to receive my profit.
Another modus came-out, accordingly, my profit was ready for released. They asked me my GCASH account and another P8K for the TAX.
We had a long discussion, because that P8k could be automatically deducted from the profit. They insisted me to pay the P8k because their company would release my profit.
I was forced to pay P8K just to have the profit release.
Sad to say, another problem came and she introduce Richard Clinton their company manager to help my profit released.
Another bull***t came, Richard Clinton asked me to pay more P8k because my first P8K payment did not reflect in my account.
Very sad to note how this SCAMMER, took my money.
I am happy if anyone can help me recover my money.
Following SCAMMER involved:
1. Jennifer Lawrence, possibly Nathalie Karogong with contact/GCASH # 09058909869.
2. Richard Clinton, +1(202)4950528 (WHATSAPP).
3. Gayvee Noora, contact/GCASH receiver # 09271125126.
4. WA KATRINA FABRO, contact/ GCASH receiver # 09057502482.
Hope and wish somebody will help me recover my money for medicines.
I needed a medical oxgen tank and got scammed out of my money. Now, I don’t have a oxgen tank or my money.These people claim they sold the tanks.There a high risk and could cause death over this nonsense. It’s been reported to the police. I contacted the scammer and now they took it offline but are selling many other things online with the same profile.
Hi good day! I got scammed too day like others who posted. They say they are connected with Lazada. They scammed 4398 from me. Please help I need to get back that money for my tuition. 😭Please check these link and number I send money: https://t.me/scarletreo, 09955619625, 09559638354. They are many, and I guess others get scammed even more money today😥. I hope you can fine these people, and help us to give back our money, They are the worst of worst. The name Fatima and Scarlet Reyes in telegram came out. They use so many numbers I give earlier to transfer via Gcash. Put down this website: lazada8898.xyz.
I was actually scammed earlier as well. My fault for believing, but still, I asked to help pull out my money, but they always say they cannot help due to pamany policy. This is also from the same Amazon, Lazada, Shopee Group. If you’ve made a report, let me know and I will show the conversations I have as well.
Patulong nman po. Na-scam po ako. Tumawag po sa akin ang number na ito 09753514930. Ako ko po tlga nanalo. Ako kasi nag-comment ako Kay Rosmar post. Hiningi po yong OTP at password ng Gcash ko po. Patulong nman po😭. Ito yong number ko na tinawagan nya po 09674501729.
Humihingi po sana ako ng tulong about sa scam na nangyari sakin. Ayaw na po ibalik ung perang investment ko. Hindi ko na po alam gagawin ko. More than 50K po ang nakuha sakin which is malaking pera. Nagrerequet po ako na ibalik nalang ung pera kaso ayaw po nila. Ang sagot po nila is need mag-upgrade ng kung anong plan ang offer para mawithdraw ang pera. Sa pag upgrade na to – nagrerequest ulit sila ng malaking halaga which hindi ko alam kung saan ako kukuha.
Sana matulungan nyu ko.
I was also scammed by this https://globalfxoptionstrade. Can someone help me to get my money back worth 10,000 pesos?
[https]//fihnafm.verbinteractive-seo.com/#/pages/index/index did you know this verb interactive platform ?
Hindi nila ipapa withdraw Yung money ko almost 100k na magbabayad padaw ako ng 30% sa e withdraw ko. Sana matulongan nyo Ako.
I was scammed by these crooks they are 4 of them first I was interested 5k for this investment then you have to register when it’s on going they ask you to pay registration fee then it will pump out again with mining code fee,Nin charges etc. You know how much it’s cost me $1000 or 54kphp I want to apprehen them and put in behind bars these scammer
https://globals-online. Pls investigate above link +63 912 802 8735 scammer number.
I reported Scam before and cybercrime. The reason that I think these scammers are still active just because they are taking advantage of how lame our justice system. If the amount is minimal, they tend to victim blame. The worst is they didn’t do anything to the lodged report. I was waiting for the hearing and several months now, to no avail. Fell victim for another scammer who by the way provided all the necessary documents I have requested for proof of legitamacy, and yet this person still succeeded doing their dirty works. And now I will be needing to gather these information, have it checked, and be reported. Will go through the same process. But since I have prior experience that this will not prosper, not only the trauma of being scammed is what I am feeling, also the frustrations that I will go to the same process that the CYBERCRIME TEAM will just void my complaint!
Hi! I got scammed for usdt 3000/-. This person called herself Amelia came thru a dating site and all thru put status of how she’s making a lot of money thru Crypto Mining. She showed so much interest and taught me how to buy crypto and the transferred my money in to a fake and controlled website that opened only thru a link not searchable on web. It’s qtradext. She even put part of investment to reach a certain milestone. After first transfer then to invest in mining on that website I needed minimum of 5000/- more then I got doubts and did my research only to find this was a scam. The website would not allow me to withdraw my initial investment even if I said I would like to go further and after a series of communication they zeroed my investment on their site. The number of this person is +63-9602732199.
I think we are been scammed, regarding on this kind of tactics it’s just sad that one of the company been saying so you going to think it’s legit one because they serve that kind of service as digital marketing. I just scammed around 10k today. And same scenario need to follow and like the tiktok etc. and then proceed to lazada online and click and refund the with the commission. If you like to file this you can contact me I’m willing to go to NBI or Department of Justice in cybercrime dept. is just i need someone also experiencing this kind of scamming people. And they are not afraid because no one like to file a case to them. Just let me know.
Hi!I am an OFW here in Japan.I got scammed by this person named Vince Anthony Jerbosa.He pretended to be a manager of a loaning company there in the Philippines.He promised me that if I will pay for the verification fee of 40,000 yen which is equivalent to 20,000 that he will help me to loan money amounting to 500,000 yen which is equivalent to 200,000 pesos.He pretended to be the manager of a loaning company .I sent him the money hoping that he will send the money that I am borrowing in my bank.I waited and he made some receipt that he already sent the money through Remitry .I was waiting and I didnt receive the money I borrowed but I already sent the verification fee to him.Then I decided to email the Remitry and they told me that he canceled the money that he sent me which means he is a scammer.Can you help me with this issue please.He blocked me and I dont know how to find him.I sent the money through Western Union.Please help me how to repost this.
hi, i was scammed the same way too, did you report them already, i am willing to join you if you ever file a complaint.
they using Lazada, Amazon etc.
I got scammed and getting threatening calls fors money.
I do have whatsapp number i.e. +63 966 498 0791. Can anybody trace the number and report it.
I was offered a job at Upwork. A company named Marin Software messaged me and hired me for a translation job. I finished the work and sent it to them. They asked for my bank account for them to transfer my salary. I received an email saying that they already transferred the money, but it is on hold since I need to pay for an activation code for my money transfer. Unfortunately, I sent them money multiple times since they told me that I have to pay for the activation codes, IMF, and tax codes. They said that these money that I sent them will be reimbursed once they are finish transferring my salary. They kept on asking for more money but I told them that I don’t have any more money with me. So I just told them to cancel the transfer but they have to give back my money. They said that they can’t refund the money anymore since they were processing my salary transfer already. I am begging them to give my money back but they won’t do it. I was able to send them a total of 25,000 PHP. Please help me.