CYBERCRIME SITUATION IN THE PHILIPPINES

I. Introduction
Cybercrime encompasses any criminal act carried out through the utilization of a
computer system, as well as situations where a computer system is specifically targeted for illicit
intentions. Cyberattacks impact millions of people who use the internet. Cyberattacks serve as
a wake-up call about the scope of cybercrime and how vulnerable people are, even though the
damage is quite small compared to the volume of Internet traffic.
Cybercrime is criminal activity that targets or uses a computer, computer network, or
network device. Most cybercrimes are committed by cyber criminals or hackers who want to
make money. Sometimes, however, cybercrime aims to harm computers or networks for
reasons other than the pursuit of profit. The topics they address may be related to politics or
personal matters.
There are no limits to cybercrime. Offenders, victims and technical infrastructure span
multiple jurisdictions, creating many challenges for investigation and prosecution. Therefore,
close collaboration between public and private sector partners is essential. With a global reach,
INTERPOL plays a key role in creating cross-sector partnerships and enabling international
police cooperation. At INTERPOL, we coordinate law enforcement efforts and provide secure
information platforms, analysis and training to reduce cyber threats. By increasing our member
states' ability to prevent, detect, investigate and disrupt cybercrime, we can help protect
communities for a safer world.
This introduction sets the stage for a journey into the multifaceted world of cybercrime,
exploring its origins, manifestations, and the ongoing efforts to combat this ever-evolving threat.
In an era where information is a currency and technology serves as both a boon and a bane,
understanding the nuances of cybercrime is essential for individuals, businesses, and law
enforcement alike. As we delve into the intricacies of this digital underworld, we aim to unravel
the complexities, highlight emerging trends, and underscore the importance of collective
vigilance in securing the digital future.
II. Body
. The Anti-Cyber Crime Group (ACG) of the Philippine National Police has achieved
significant milestones in the fight against cybercrime. ACG is making the Philippines a safer
place in the digital world with a record number of cases investigated, changing cybercrime
trends and a proactive approach to combat these threats.
According to the data, the top 10 cybercrimes reported to ACG are internet fraud,
unauthorized use, computer-related identity theft, ATM/credit card fraud, threats, data breaches,
photo and video spamming, computer fraud and unfair harassment. This increase in
cybercrimes is closely related to the increased reliance on the Internet for various business
activities.
Cybercrime in Metro Manila rose 152 percent in the first half of the year, the Philippine
National Police said. The information was disclosed during a joint meeting of the Anti-Bank
Robbery and Anti-Cyber Crime Committee at the Cyber Crimes Investigation and Coordination
Center (CICC) in Taguig City on Thursday (July 6, 2023)
From January 1 to June 30, something like 6,250 cybercrimes have been accounted for
to the police. This is more than double the 2,477 that were recorded during the same time last
year. Of the cybercrimes kept in Metro Manila, online tricks numbered 4,446 an increment from
1,551 occurrences last year. The police additionally got somewhere around 1,063 instances of
unlawful web-based admittance in the initial a half year of 2023. This is practically twofold the
570 cases in 2022.
In the first eight months of 2023 alone, Filipinos lost at least P155.20 million to fraud, and
pressure is now on lawmakers to prevent fraud from creeping into an increasingly digital
economy. Senator Mark Villar, who presided over the Senate hearing on Monday, September
18, on the spread of bank fraud, destroyed as much as 2 percent of the world's gross domestic
product worldwide. According to the PNP ACG, online sales fraud is the most common method.
Between January and August 2023 alone, there are 3,615 cases.
The following paragraphs will be discussing the different cybercrimes and list of cases happens
here in the Philippines:
ONLINE SELLING SCAM
Scams involve fraudsters posing as legitimate online sellers, either on a fake website or
with fake advertising on a genuine retailer's website. Unfortunately, while many online sellers
are legitimate, fraudsters can use the anonymous nature of the Internet to trick unsuspecting
buyers. Fraudsters use the latest technology to create fake retailer websites that look like
genuine online retailers. They may use fancy designs and layouts, possibly stolen logos and
even a domain name.
These scammers, who mostly target self-employed people between the ages of 21 and 40,
often use Facebook to sell an attractive product. They ask the consumer to pay for the product
in advance through an electronic payment system like GCash before it is completely cancelled.
In terms of platforms used, fraudsters mostly operate through Facebook Messenger, followed by
WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram and SMS.
James Relativo thought he got a lot of money for an electric drum kit, but instead, a Manila
resident was scammed out of money in a country that has the dubious honor of being Asia's
worst online sales scam. 4,444 4,444 buyers across the Philippines received millions of dollars
this year, some turning to victim chat groups on Facebook and other social media. According to
a recent report, more than a third of Filipinos surveyed have been defrauded or experienced
online retail fraud.
COMPUTER-RELATED IDENTITY THEFT
This is one of many cases of identity fraud where the suspect, 18-year-old Christian
Sanchez Jr., was arrested in a sting operation conducted by the Mandaluyong City Police. His
modus operandi appeared as an online seller of cheap cell phones through Facebook. Once a
person expresses interest in purchasing an item, the transaction appears legitimate because
Sanchez asks for pictures of valid IDs. However, he uses these photos of a valid ID. deceive
other people. This is what happened to his latest victim, Jonathan Quilatan, who thought he was
buying a mobile phone for just £3,900. The suspect wanted him to pay immediately, but
Quilatan refused. He later agreed to a pickup arrangement, after which he was asked for
personal photos as proof that he was a legitimate buyer.
About 4.5 percent of Filipino adults, or 5 million people, said they have been victims of identity
theft, which can lead to financial loss, according to a survey by data analytics firm Fico. 4,444
4,444 In addition, 6 percent, or about 6.7 million Filipinos, believe their identity was fraudulently
used to open a money account, which Fico said shows an increase in awareness of such
scams. Respondents themselves understood that banks are conducting more frequent fraud
checks to protect against identity theft, account takeover and card fraud.
The Pangasinan Provincial Cyber Response Team (PPCRT) recorded 80 reported cybercrimes
since its creation in February until June 10. PPCRT Team Leader Lt. Sharmaine Jassie Labrado
said in a virtual forum organized by the Philippine Information Bureau Pangasinan on Tuesday
(July 11) that the most reported cases to them are online fraud, computer-related identity theft
and hacking.

ONLINE HARASSMENT/BULLYING
Cyberbullying is when someone uses technology (such as cell phones, computers,
social media, or gaming platforms) to aggressively bully, threaten, or bully someone. A form of
cyberbullying, cyberbullying, includes name-calling, stalking, and physical threats. Girls and
LGBTQ+ people are more likely to experience such harassment and abuse.
A new global survey by girls' rights organization Plan International shows that more than half, or
58 percent, of girls and young women worldwide have experienced online bullying or abuse.
Report published on 11 October to mark the International Day of the Girl Child. Is it free to be
online? Girls and Young Women's Experiences of Cyberbullying is based on a survey and in-
depth interviews with more than 14,000 girls between the ages of 15 and 24 in 31 countries,
including the Philippines.
The largest study ever, the report shows that girls who use social media in both high- and low-
income countries routinely experience different types of online harassment and violence,
including sexual violence, sexual harassment, physical violence, anti- LGBTIQ+ threats.
comments, racist comments, body shaming, intentional embarrassment, stalking, and violent
and offensive language.
A study conducted in the Philippines reveals that almost 7 out of 10, or 68 percent, of girls and
young women have experienced online bullying, especially on social networks. Most of these
girls also revealed that harassment happens often (50 percent) or very often (33 percent). Eight
in ten, or 79 percent, said they or other girls they know have been threatened with sexual
violence on social media.
Maria, 17, saw her friend confused, receiving hateful comments and being talked about in group
chats simply because "she always dresses up and wears make-up”. This is not an isolated
incident. More than half of young women and girls in the Philippines have personally
experienced some form of online harassment on social media platforms.
The results of the report showed that 68 percent of girls and young women in the Philippines
have experienced online bullying on social networks. Most of these girls also reported that
harassment occurs often (50%) or very often (33%).

UNAUTHORIZE ACCESS
Unauthorized and inappropriate use of other people's and online accounts is one of the
most popular forms of fraud on the Internet. Cybercriminals mainly hijack access to profitable
services such as banking apps or payment services, which can be sold for profit on the dark
web.
Authorities arrested three persons for allegedly claiming to have illegally accessed the
Smartmatic System to influence the results of the upcoming May 9 national and local election,
official of the Philippine National Police-Anti Cybercrime Group.
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has arrested five suspects in the BDO cyber-hacking
case that involved the theft of money from more than 700 bank customers. They were caught
during an arrest operation in Mabalacat, Pampanga last January 18. The total amount of stolen
money was not disclosed at the press conference. The NBI reported that according to their
informant, the Nigerian suspects were involved in supplying equipment to anyone looking for
ways to cash in ill-gotten funds.
As the Philippines navigates the intricate digital frontier, the integration of cybersecurity
into education, continuous legislative updates, and adaptive strategies will be pivotal in staying
ahead of the cyber threat curve. The nation stands at the crossroads of technological
advancement and security, and the lessons learned from its endeavors in combating cybercrime
will undoubtedly contribute to a safer and more secure digital future for all Filipinos.

III. RECOMMENDATION/ACTION PLAN

Advanced Training and Skill Development:
Develop and implement advanced training programs for ACG personnel to keep them
abreast of the latest cybersecurity threats and technologies. Collaborate with industry experts
and organizations to provide specialized training in areas such as block chain, cryptocurrency,
and emerging technologies targeted by cybercriminals.
Strategic Partnerships:
Establish partnerships with international cybersecurity agencies and organizations to
facilitate information sharing, collaborative investigations, and the adoption of global best
practices. Collaborate with private sector entities, such as technology companies and financial
institutions, to enhance cybersecurity intelligence and response capabilities.
Technology Infrastructure Enhancement:
Invest in state-of-the-art cybersecurity tools and technologies to bolster the ACG's
capabilities in detecting, preventing, and responding to cyber threats effectively. Implement
regular assessments and updates to ensure the resilience and effectiveness of the ACG's
technological infrastructure.
Public Awareness Campaigns:
Launch comprehensive public awareness campaigns to educate individuals, businesses,
and government agencies about prevalent cyber threats and preventive measures. Collaborate
with educational institutions to integrate cybersecurity awareness programs into curricula,
fostering a culture of cyber hygiene from a young age.
IV. REFERENCES:
 CNN Philippines Staff (2023) Cybercrimes in Metro Manila up by 152% in first
half of 2023 – PNP. CNN Philippines
https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/7/7/Cybercrimes-Metro-Manila-152--
2023-PNP.html
 Republic of the Philippines, Philippine National Police (2023) PNP PROBES
16,297 CYBERCRIME CASES IN 2023; 397 ARRESTED, 4,092 RESCUED.
https://pnp.gov.ph/pnp-probes-16297-cybercrime-cases-in-2023-397-arrested-
4092-rescued/
 Jia Li (2021) Cybercrime in The Philippines: A Case Study of National Security.
Turcomat.org
https://www.turcomat.org/index.php/turkbilmat/article/view/6550/5407
 Emmanuel Tupas (2023). Online scams top list of 2023 cybercrimes. The
Philippine Star
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/12/20/2320172/online-scams-top-list-
2023-
cybercrimes#:~:text=There%20were%201%2C536%20computer%2Drelated,5.2
4%20percent%20or%201%2C043%20cases.
 Tyrone Jasper C. Piad (2022) CYBERSECURITY FIRM URGES FREQUENT
FRAUD CHECKS-Up to 5M Filipinos claim to be identity theft victims. Philippine
Daily Inquirer
https://business.inquirer.net/358961/up-to-5m-filipinos-claim-to-be-identity-theft-
victims
 Rappler (2020). Over half of young women in PH experience online harassment
– global study. RAPPLER.COM
https://www.rappler.com/moveph/over-half-young-women-philippines-experience-
online-harassment-plan-international-study-2020/
 Christopher Lloyd Caliwan (2022). PNP-ACG nabs 3 suspects in Smartmatic
breach. Philippine News Agency
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1172978