Online scams top list of 2023 cybercrimes

MANILA, Philippines — More than half of cybercrimes documented this year were online scams, data from the police Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) showed.

Based on the data, 19,884 cybercrimes were recorded from Jan. 1 to Dec. 7 this year, of which 11,071 cases or 55.67 percent represented online scams.

A far second is illegal access in relation to Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Law, which has 3,181 cases or 15.99 percent.

There were 1,536 computer-related identity theft cases, which comprised 7.72 percent of the total cybercrimes documented.

Online libel is at 6.74 percent representing 1,342 cases and ATM/credit card fraud at 5.24 percent or 1,043 cases.

The other cybercrimes documented are online threats, data interference, anti-photo and video voyeurism, unjust vexation and computer-related fraud, totaling 1,711 cases.

Col. Jay Guillermo, ACG cyber response unit head, yesterday told dzBB that scammers have shifted to internet-connected applications with the passage of Republic Act 11934, or the SIM Card Registration Act.

Guillermo warned the people, especially those with online bank accounts, not to be duped by callers or by messages purportedly coming from bank employees requesting for bank information.

He said anyone facing potential fraud should call the attention of their banks or law enforcement authorities.

Meanwhile, the Cybercrime Investigating and Coordinating Center (CICC) said it is ready to go after erring internet social media giants like Facebook, Instagram and X if they are found harboring rogue online sellers and hucksters that victimize millions of Filipino online shoppers and netizens, with the enforcement of Republic Act 11967 or the Internet Transactions Act of 2023 earlier this month.

Information and Communications Undersecretary and CICC executive director Alexander Ramos said the signing into law of RA 11967 provided ammunition to pin down internet tech giants that coddle online scammers.

“It now enables us to seek action towards not only the platforms but rather anybody doing online business can be held accountable for having something wrong with their product or non-delivery of their products,” Ramos said in a virtual