CyberCode.ph · Philippines

Online Scam Complaint Procedure Philippines: What Victims Should Do

Last updated September 4, 2026 · Practical privacy, cybersecurity and technology-law guidance
Person using smartphone for online scam complaint procedure in the Philippines

Last materially reviewed: September 3, 2026

Direct Answer

If you were scammed online in the Philippines, act on two tracks immediately: try to stop or trace the money, and preserve enough digital evidence for a cybercrime complaint. Contact the bank, e-wallet or payment provider at once, secure affected accounts, report the incident through CICC 1326 and/or the appropriate cybercrime unit, and keep complete records of the transaction, messages, accounts and complaint references.

Primary guidance: CICC Kontra Scam guidance and Republic Act No. 10175.

Key Takeaways

  • Report unauthorized or fraudulent transfers to the financial institution immediately.
  • CICC publicly advises scam victims to report through hotline 1326 and its official reporting channels.
  • Preserve transaction IDs, account numbers, usernames, chats, links, screenshots and timestamps.
  • Do not delete the scam conversation just because the account has been blocked.
  • Depending on the facts, a complaint may involve CICC, NBI Cybercrime Division, PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group, a prosecutor, or another regulator.
  • Not every scam fits the same criminal provision; investigators determine the appropriate offense based on the evidence.

Decision Snapshot

Situation First action
Money just transferred Call the bank/e-wallet immediately and request fraud handling or transfer tracing.
Scammer still messaging Preserve the conversation before blocking.
Fake seller/account disappeared Save profile URLs, listings, transaction records and screenshots.
You do not know where to report Use CICC 1326 or Cybercode’s reporting directory, then escalate to NBI/PNP when appropriate.

Step 1: Stop Further Loss

Contact the affected financial institution immediately. Ask for the account to be secured, the transaction to be flagged, and any available fraud or transfer-tracing procedure to be started. If credentials were exposed, change passwords and enable multi-factor authentication where available.

Step 2: Preserve the Evidence

Keep the complete chat, payment confirmation, bank or e-wallet transaction reference, seller or scammer account name, phone number, email address, URLs, screenshots, delivery promises, invoices and any voice or video communications. Preserve the original files and full context instead of only cropped screenshots.

Use Cybercode’s Online Scam Evidence Checklist and Electronic Evidence Preservation Guide.

Step 3: Report to CICC

The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center publicly directs victims of online scams to report through hotline 1326 and its official reporting channels. CICC’s Kontra Scam brochure specifically instructs victims to report online scams immediately.

Step 4: File With the Appropriate Investigative Agency

For a formal investigative complaint, you may be directed to the NBI Cybercrime Division or the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group. Bring identification, a clear chronology, transaction records, evidence copies and the devices/accounts involved when requested.

What Law Can Apply?

RA 10175 includes computer-related fraud, identity theft, illegal access and other cybercrime offenses. However, ordinary fraud or estafa provisions and other laws may also apply depending on how the scam was carried out. Section 4 of RA 10175 defines the principal cybercrime offenses.

What Happens After Filing?

Investigators may assess the complaint, preserve relevant computer data, seek cybercrime warrants when legal thresholds are met, request service-provider information through proper process, conduct forensic examination and refer evidence to a prosecutor. See What Happens After You Report Cybercrime?

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I report to the bank before the police?

If money has just moved, contact the financial institution immediately because time can matter for fraud controls. You can pursue the cybercrime report in parallel.

Can I report if I only lost a small amount?

Yes. The amount may affect priorities or legal analysis, but it does not prevent you from reporting suspected criminal conduct.

Should I confront the scammer?

Usually it is safer to preserve evidence, stop further payments and report. Confrontation can cause the scammer to delete accounts or evidence.

Related Cybercrime Guides

Related Cybercode Guides

Official Sources

General educational information only.