Group launches campaign against online scams, fraud

Group launches campaign against online scams, fraud

THE Marcos administration is intensifying efforts to combat online fraud and scams.

One of the measures taken by President Bongbong Marcos, Jr. is the passage of the SIM Registration Act.

With the SIM registration deadline approaching on July 25, online criminals are said to be operating double-time in deceiving people.

“From January to June 2023, it increased by 152% compared to the same period last year,” Art Samaniego, Tech Editor, Manila Bulletin said.

That’s how many people have fallen victim to internet-related crimes in the country.

The majority of cases involve account takeovers, with Facebook pages being a common target.

 “It means that the theft of Facebook accounts and social media accounts increased by more than 80% compared to the same period last year. That’s how many people are being victimized. Once your Facebook account is stolen, your Messenger account follows. When your messenger account is stolen, the thief pretends to be you and asks for money or loans from your relatives and acquaintances,” Samaniego said.

In response, Samaniego’s group and Truth 360, and Manila Bulletin launched a citizen’s arm group called Scam Watch Pilipinas.

The group aims to launch a national movement against cyber fraud.

They also aim to raise public awareness regarding the threat of rampant online scams.

The group will educate the public on reporting cyber-related crimes and avoiding falling victim again.

This includes educating people on phishing scams that use the names of major banks.

Various government agencies expressed their support when the group was introduced to the public.

These agencies include the Department of Information and Communications Technology, the National Privacy Commission, and the National Telecommunications Commission.

“We want to awaken the public that there is hope, that there is an agency partnering with us to help solve cybercrimes,” Usec. Alexander Ramos, Executive Director, CICC said.

“We want to bring all private sector companies, all communities together because our goal is to teach and educate people from different sectors, regardless of age, to learn,” Jocel de Guzman, CEO & Founder, Truth 360 said.

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