MANILA — The Philippine National Police – Anti-Cybercrime Group urged the public to remain vigilant against online scams as rising fuel, travel, and product costs linked to Middle East tensions may encourage criminal activity during the Lenten season.

“Because of this Lenten season and summer vacation, dahil sa pagtaas ng ating mga bilihin due to war sa Middle East, we expect na dadami rin ang mga scam activities,” said ACG chief Police Brigadier General Wilson Asueta at a press conference.

He warned that scams could target travelers and consumers through fake accommodations, vacation packages, and airfare offers.

“Marami ang mga cases also na lalabas itong accommodations or vacation scam, mga airfare scam. So Mag-ingat po tayo lalo na sa mga offer na ‘too good to be true,’ mga 50% discount, no interest, no down payment,” Asueta added.

The ACG noted that rising fuel prices can drive some individuals toward cybercrime or risky online “shadow” markets. Common scams during this period include online selling fraud, phishing and smishing, investment scams, travel and accommodation scams, and identity theft.

The PNP-ACG also shared tips for staying safe online:

For travelers and buyers:

• Avoid deals that are “too good to be true”
• Check seller or account history and reviews
• Use secure platforms
• Choose Cash on Delivery (COD) when possible
• Never share OTP or login details

For online sellers:

• Verify payments beyond screenshots
• Be cautious of “overpayment” scams
• Confirm buyer identity for large transactions
• Use platforms with seller protection

General safety tips:

• Avoid clicking suspicious links (possible phishing)
• Conduct transactions through official app messaging
• Do not use public Wi-Fi for sensitive transactions
• Report scams immediately to authorities

The ACG emphasized that vigilance and caution are key to avoiding cybercrime, especially during high-demand periods like holidays and peak travel seasons.