From 2016 up to 2017, 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.
Marcos from that year said the complaints came mostly from victims of online buying and selling, “paluwagan” (peer lending circles), investment, pyramid and other forms of online fraud.
Following are the other cases recorded from 2016 to 2017 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).
At the present year, 2018, online scams are increasing and increasing. One of these online scams are love scam from different dating sites which has 21,000 from 2015 and increased up to 30,000 now, massive online scams, hacking, cyberbullying, credit card and loan fraud, paluwagan, nigerian scam, travel scams, and other online scams.
In the conclusion, different online scams are increasing every year.
There is no denying that there are some cases of people who take advantage of the online platform to scam other users. But online classifieds such as OLX will always make it a point to maintain a safe platform. In such cases, here are four Philippine Anti-Cybercrime Laws that can help protect users like you from online scams.
1.THE CYBERCRIME PREVENTION ACT
The Cybercrime Prevention Act covers most online scams. Also known as the Republic Act 10175, this was created to address illegal activities committed that involve Information and Communication Technologies like mobile phones, computers, software, and the Internet.
2.THE REVISED PENAL CODE
Swindling happens when a seller sends a product that is of a different quality, quantity, or material from what he promised and what you paid for. Swindling (or estafa), which concerns most online scams is punishable under Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code.
3.THE CONSUMER ACT OF THE PHILIPPINES
Any form of dishonesty by a seller before, during, and after a sale is punishable under Republic Act 7394, or the Consumer Act of the Philippines. This would mean that the scammer could be fined or could even go to jail if the scammer convince a buyer to enter into a sale through acts of concealment, false representation, or fraudulent manipulation.
4.THE DATA PRIVACY ACT OF 2012
According to the Data Privacy Act of 2012 or Republic Act 10173, personal information collected from others should only be used for the purpose of the sale and cannot be shared with anyone else.
And lastly, the key to avoiding online scams is not sharing personal information and being skeptic of too-good-to-be-true offers. If you ever get scammed, you can report to the PNP Anti Cybercrime Group through their hotline number (02)723-0401 local 5313.
