Reported cases of online scams in the Philippines fell by nearly 50% from January 1 to December 4, 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Online selling scams dropped from 3,025 cases in 2024 to 1,525 in 2025. Investment and task scams declined from 1,101 to 291, hijacked profile or ID scams from 604 to 183, and vishing incidents from 589 to just 80.
Acting PNP Chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. attributed the decline to stronger cyber patrolling and swift action by the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group.
“Malaki ang naitutulong ng tuloy-tuloy na cyber patrolling ng PNP ACG. Nandiyan na tayo sa digital space kung saan kumikilos ang mga scammer, kaya mas maaga natin silang natutukoy at napipigilan,” he said.
Despite the drop, Nartatez warned that scammers continue to shift tactics, with job scams, online loan scams, and impersonation scams still prevalent. He vowed intensified efforts in 2026.
“Hindi titigil ang PNP. Sa 2026, lalo pa nating paiigtingin ang ating anti-cybercrime campaign. Mas pinalalakas natin ang intelligence, ang enforcement, at ang pakikipagtulungan sa iba’t ibang ahensya,” he added.
Nartatez urged vigilance and public cooperation: “Kapag mapanuri ang mamamayan at agad nagrereport, mas mabilis tayong makakakilos. Sama-sama nating labanan ang panlilinlang online.”