How to Report a Scam in the Philippines: Official Channels and What to Do Next

Knowing how to report a scam in the Philippines can protect you and stop others from falling victim. This guide walks you through every official channel and practical step.

Why Reporting a Scam Matters

Being scammed is stressful and, sometimes, embarrassing — but staying silent only makes it easier for scammers to keep operating. Every report you file adds to the picture that authorities build about fraud patterns in the country. The more people who report, the faster agencies like the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) and the National Bureau of Investigation Cybercrime Division (NBI-CCD) can identify the individuals behind these schemes and take action. Reporting is also how you create an official paper trail — something that becomes crucial if you later pursue a civil or criminal case. Even if the money is already gone, your report can prevent someone else from losing theirs. If you are unsure whether what happened to you was genuinely a scam, you can verify a suspicious message or number for free before filing.

Step 1 — Gather and Preserve Your Evidence

Before contacting any agency, secure everything you have. Authorities cannot act on vague descriptions alone; they need documentation.

1. Take screenshots of all conversations — messages, emails, social media chats, and any profiles involved. Capture the full screen including timestamps and usernames.
2. Record transaction details: reference numbers, amounts, dates, the account name or number you sent money to (for GCash, Maya, or bank transfers), and any receipts.
3. Save URLs of any websites or online ads that were used in the scheme. Copy the full link, not just the page title.
4. Do NOT delete any messages, even ones that seem unimportant. Investigators often find crucial clues in details that look irrelevant at first.
5. If you received a physical document — a fake check, a printed contract, a bogus ID — keep it in a safe place. Do not write on it or fold it unnecessarily.
6. Back everything up to cloud storage or a USB drive so you have copies in multiple places.

Use your phone's built-in screen-recording feature to capture scrollable conversations that are hard to screenshot fully — this is especially useful for long Facebook Messenger or Viber threads.

Step 2 — Report to the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG)

The PNP-ACG is the primary law-enforcement body for internet-enabled crimes in the Philippines. They handle cases involving online fraud, phishing, illegal access, and related offenses under the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 (Republic Act 10175).

Warning signs

• Anyone who contacts you claiming to be a PNP-ACG officer and asks for payment to 'process your case' is themselves running a scam.
• Legitimate government complaint processes do not require upfront fees.

1. Visit the official PNP-ACG website and use their online complaint form, or go in person to the PNP-ACG headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
2. Regional offices and local police stations can also receive your complaint and forward it to the appropriate unit — useful if you are outside Metro Manila.
3. Bring printed copies of all your evidence as well as digital copies on a USB drive.
4. You will be asked to provide a sworn statement (sinumpaang salaysay). A duty officer will help you prepare this.
5. Get your complaint reference number and keep it — you will need it for follow-ups.

You can also send an initial report via the PNP-ACG's official social media pages or email before going in person — this is especially useful for getting early guidance on what documents to bring.

Step 3 — File a Complaint with the NBI Cybercrime Division

The NBI Cybercrime Division (NBI-CCD) is another powerful avenue, particularly for complex or large-scale fraud. The NBI has the authority to conduct entrapment operations and coordinate with international cybercrime units, making them well-suited for cases that cross borders.

1. Go to the NBI main office in Manila or any regional NBI office. Bring the same evidence package you prepared for PNP-ACG.
2. Alternatively, use the NBI's online referral portal if one is available in your region — check their official government website for current instructions.
3. Request a referral slip for the Cybercrime Division specifically, as NBI handles many case types and you want your complaint routed correctly.
4. Provide a detailed written account of what happened, including every interaction you had with the scammer.
5. Follow up regularly using your complaint number. NBI cases can take time, but periodic follow-ups keep your case active.

If your scam involved a large amount of money or appeared to be part of an organized syndicate, filing with both PNP-ACG and the NBI simultaneously is perfectly acceptable and can strengthen your case.

Step 4 — Report to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) for Financial Scams

If the scam involved a BSP-regulated institution — a bank, an e-money issuer like GCash or Maya, or a lending platform — you should also report to the BSP. This is separate from a criminal complaint and focuses on the financial institution's responsibility to protect consumers. For a deeper look at staying safe on digital wallets, our GCash and Maya safety guide covers the most common tactics used to compromise e-wallet accounts.

Warning signs

• If your GCash or Maya account was compromised, scammers sometimes pose as bank or e-wallet 'recovery agents' who claim they can retrieve your funds for a fee — this is always a scam.
• No legitimate BSP process requires you to send money to an agent to recover losses.

1. File a complaint through the BSP's Consumer Assistance Mechanism (CAM) at consumeraffairs@bsp.gov.ph or through their online portal.
2. First exhaust the bank or e-wallet's own complaint process — BSP typically requires you to have done this before escalating to them.
3. Provide your transaction reference numbers, the name of the institution, and a clear description of the issue.
4. BSP can order supervised institutions to investigate, reverse unauthorized transactions in some cases, and impose sanctions on non-compliant firms.
5. Keep records of all correspondence with both the institution and BSP.

Step 5 — Report to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for Consumer and Online Selling Scams

Online selling scams — fake products, non-delivery of goods, fraudulent merchants — fall partly under the DTI's mandate, especially if a registered business is involved. Understanding the full landscape of deceptive online selling tactics can help you describe your case accurately when filing.

1. File through the DTI's Consumer Care hotline or their official online complaint form.
2. Provide order details, screenshots of product listings, proof of payment, and any communication with the seller.
3. The DTI can mediate between you and a registered seller, and can refer cases involving unregistered operators to law enforcement.
4. If the scam involved a fake delivery notification designed to steal your information, report it to both DTI and PNP-ACG, as it involves both consumer fraud and cybercrime.

Keep all packaging, tracking numbers, and courier notifications if your scam involved a physical product. These are important evidence for DTI mediation.

Step 6 — Report to Platform and Telecom Providers

Do not overlook the platforms and networks the scammer used. Reporting to them does not replace a formal complaint, but it can get fraudulent accounts shut down quickly — potentially stopping other victims before they are harmed.

Warning signs

• Scammers often create near-identical replacement accounts if the original is removed — stay alert and re-report if the same tactics appear from a new account.
• A scammer who suddenly changes their phone number or platform after you confront them is likely still targeting others.

1. Use the 'Report' button on Facebook, Instagram, Telegram, Viber, or whichever platform was used. Select 'Scam or Fraud' as the reason.
2. For text message scams, forward the message to 7726 (SPAM) — a service supported by Philippine telecom providers. Most networks will respond with a short confirmation message.
3. Report phishing emails to your email provider using the 'Report Phishing' or 'Report Spam' function.
4. If you received a suspicious link that appeared to be from a courier, report it directly to that courier's official customer service as well.

Step 7 — Use TsekMuna to Check and Document Suspicious Details

Before or alongside official reporting, TsekMuna's free scam-check tool lets you look up phone numbers, links, account names, and other details that were used in a potential scam. Our database is built from community reports and verified flags — so when you run a check, you benefit from others' experiences, and your own report contributes back. You can also follow our step-by-step reporting walkthrough for a checklist that mirrors the official process. This guidance is advisory only and not legal advice.

Copy the exact number or link the scammer used — even a single character difference can matter when cross-referencing reports. Paste it exactly into TsekMuna's search bar.

What to Do If You Already Sent Money

If you have already transferred funds, act quickly. The faster you move, the higher the chance of a freeze or recovery.

Warning signs

• Receiving an unexpected call or message from someone offering to help you recover your lost funds — especially for a fee — is a classic recovery scam.
• Anyone who claims to be a foreign law enforcement officer or 'international fund recovery agent' and contacts you out of the blue is not legitimate.

1. Call your bank or e-wallet's fraud hotline immediately — GCash has a 24/7 helpline and Maya has an in-app dispute process. Time is critical for flagging unauthorized transactions.
2. Request a formal hold or freeze on the receiving account by providing the reference number to the institution.
3. File your PNP-ACG or NBI complaint as soon as possible, as law enforcement can formally request a freeze order.
4. Do not send any more money, even if someone contacts you claiming they can recover what you lost — that is almost always a 'recovery scam,' a second fraud layered on top of the first.
5. Seek emotional support from family or friends. Being scammed is traumatic and you do not have to handle it alone.

Know Your Rights as a Scam Victim in the Philippines

Philippine law provides real protections for scam victims. The Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 (RA 10175) criminalizes computer-related fraud and identity theft. The Consumer Act of the Philippines (RA 7394) protects buyers from deceptive sales practices. The E-Commerce Act (RA 8792) covers online transactions. Financial institutions regulated by the BSP are also bound by consumer protection regulations that require them to have accessible complaint mechanisms. Knowing these laws helps you frame your complaint correctly and understand what outcomes are possible. For a broader understanding of how different schemes work, exploring the types of scams most common in the Philippines can help you identify exactly which law applies to your situation.

Mention the specific law you believe was violated when filing your complaint — even just citing RA 10175 for a cybercrime shows investigators you have done your research and can help route your case correctly.

Run a free scam check · More scam-safety guides