MANILA — Reports of online scams received by the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) fell by almost 40 percent this year compared to 2024, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) said.

In a public briefing aired on state-run PTV, Undersecretary Renato “Aboy” Paraiso reported that the CICC logged about 6,000 complaints through its Hotline 1326, down from a record-high 10,004 reports in 2024, which involved losses totaling P198 million. The 2025 figure, however, is still higher than 2023’s 3,317 complaints.

Paraiso attributed the sustained number of reports to growing public awareness of the CICC hotline, which provides feedback on complaints within 24 hours.

“Because of our 24-hour feedback mechanism, we are earning the trust of the public who used to shy away from reporting or complaining because they felt ashamed that they fell victim to scams. Now, we ensure that if you call us, you will have feedback about the status of your case within 24 hours,” he said.

Scams on the rise during holidays

Paraiso noted an uptick in commercial scams during the holiday season, including:

• Online shopping scams: Fraudsters posing as sellers to steal personal information or money.
• Fake delivery scams: Scammers pretending to deliver packages, often asking for payment for items never ordered.

Investment scams, promising high returns from stocks, cryptocurrencies, or business ventures, continue to be reported year-round.

The CICC employs a whole-of-government approach to address cybercrime, coordinating with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Philippine National Police (PNP), and Department of Justice (DOJ).

NBI issues holiday scam advisory

In a separate statement, the NBI warned the public to remain vigilant against online scams, especially with increased holiday shopping. The bureau advised consumers to:

• Verify sellers before transactions.
• Avoid suspicious links and never share personal, banking, or one-time password (OTP) details.
• Be wary of offers that seem “too good to be true.”
• Report scams immediately and preserve evidence such as screenshots, messages, receipts, and transaction records.

The advisory is part of the NBI’s efforts to prevent cyber-related crimes during the holiday season.