PNP reports decrease in cybercrimes

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday reported a notable reduction in cybercrime complaints across the country.

BGen. Ronnie Francis Cariaga, acting director of PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group, said the police observed an impressive reduction in cybercrime complaints, recording 6,151 from January to May 9, 2024, lower than the 8,775 logged during the same period in 2023, or a decline of 29.9 percent.

The top three internet frauds are online selling scams, investment scams and phishing scams.

Cariaga said online selling scams were down from 1,731 to 1,365, investment scams plummeted from 618 to 473, and phishing decreased from 591 to 426 cases.

Cariaga attributed the reduced number of cases to the government's aggressive campaign against online fraud.

«It underscores the importance of sustained collaboration, cooperation, and vigilance across all sectors of society to effectively mitigate cyber-risks and safeguard the integrity of the digital environment,» he said.