(Photo courtesy of PNP)
MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday urged the public to remain vigilant when conducting online transactions as scammers are expected to take advantage of increased shopping and financial activities during the Christmas season.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. advised Filipinos to verify the identities and legitimacy of online sellers and individuals before sending money, purchasing products or entering into financial transactions.
Nartatez warned that cybercriminals continue to develop new schemes to deceive unsuspecting victims, particularly those belonging to vulnerable sectors.
“Scammers will take every opportunity to deceive and lure the public as the holiday season approaches,” Nartatez said in a statement.
The police chief emphasized the importance of exercising caution when dealing with unfamiliar online accounts, sellers and payment requests to avoid falling victim to fraudulent activities.
The PNP said it is intensifying its campaign against online scams in anticipation of increased internet-based transactions during the holiday shopping period.
The initiative follows the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., through Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, to strengthen law enforcement operations against cybercrime and protect consumers from emerging online threats.
Nartatez said the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) and other concerned police units are improving their strategies to detect, prevent and investigate fraudulent online activities.
“Our concerned police units, particularly the Anti-Cybercrime Group, continue to innovate and improve measures that will address these scams amid the holiday season,” he said.
He also encouraged victims of online fraud to immediately report incidents to the authorities to help investigators identify suspects, gather evidence and pursue appropriate charges.
The PNP stressed that timely reporting plays an important role in preventing further victimization and strengthening police efforts against cybercriminals.
As Christmas approaches, authorities reminded consumers to remain cautious when making online payments and verify transaction details before transferring funds.
The police organization reiterated its commitment to protecting the public from online fraud and strengthening cybersecurity measures throughout the holiday season.
