Cebu City council calls for public vigilance amid rising online scams

Local

AS MORE Filipinos fall victim to online scams, the Cebu City Council is raising the alarm over the rising tide of digital fraud and is calling on the public to remain cautious when transacting and communicating online.

In a resolution filed by Councilor Edgardo Labella II, the council cited a recent report by global information solutions provider TransUnion showing that the Philippines recorded a suspected digital fraud rate of 13.4 percent in 2024, more than double the global average of 5.4 percent.

The figure is the second highest among all countries included in the survey.

Labella said the growing number of Filipinos falling victim to online scams requires urgent public awareness and stronger measures to protect citizens in the digital space.

Citing the same report, Labella said that 74 percent of Filipinos reported being targeted by fraud schemes through emails, social media, text messages, or phone calls, which is significantly higher than the global average of 53 percent. Around 34 percent admitted to losing money to these schemes, with each victim losing an average of P44,700.

“This situation reflects an alarming threat to the safety and welfare of our citizens and calls for greater caution and preventive action, especially at the local level,” Labella said in the resolution.

It also cited provisions of the 1987 Constitution and the Local Government Code, which mandate the promotion of public welfare and coordination between national agencies and local government units in implementing programs that affect the public.

The resolution comes as authorities in Cebu continue to crack down on online investment scams and other cybercrimes.

The Cebu City Police Office, in coordination with the Police Regional Office–Central Visayas, recently identified suspects behind a fraudulent investment platform that had gone viral online. Charges are being prepared against those involved.

National data also show a rise in cybercrime cases. The Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group reported the arrest of 369 individuals in the first quarter of 2025 for offenses such as online fraud, investment scams, illegal sale of SIM cards, and hacking.

Police said some types of cybercrime, such as voyeurism, have declined due to heightened public awareness, but online fraud remains widespread.

Cebu City earlier entered into a partnership with the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center in 2022 to strengthen its cybercrime response and digital governance.

The collaboration includes training, intelligence sharing, and capacity-building programs to prevent and prosecute cyber-enabled crimes.

The council resolution also aligns with the objectives of the National Cybersecurity Plan 2023–2028, which was adopted by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to serve as a roadmap for securing the country’s digital environment.

The plan encourages LGUs to implement their own cybersecurity strategies in coordination with national efforts.

Several national laws provide legal remedies against online fraud, including the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 (Republic Act 10175), the Access Devices Regulation Act (RA 8484), and relevant provisions of the Revised Penal Code. These laws impose penalties for cyber-enabled fraud, estafa, and related crimes.

Labella said the resolution aims to support these efforts by encouraging the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious online activities.

“The city government must do its part in helping protect its citizens from this growing threat,” Labella added.(TGP)