CICC warns against cybercrimes targeting consumers

Consumers were warned against websites that sell products at “exorbitant” discounts and promotions, as these may be phishing sites or a form of consumer fraud — the most prevalent cybercrime incident in 2025, according to the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) on Thursday.

CICC Acting Executive Director Renato “Aboy” A. Paraiso told BusinessWorld that consumer fraud usually involves website links mimicking official brand pages that offer items at “exorbitant” discounts and promotions. He warned that these websites may be phishing sites or, worse, financial fraud pages that can steal money.

“It’s actually illegal. So the number one red flag there is if you are redirected to a site instead of using the official applications of online marketplaces,” Mr. Paraiso said in an interview on the sidelines of the BusinessWorld Insights Cybersecurity Series forum.

“It is the most prevalent type of fraud because it is a passive kind of fraud, as most scammers right now are advertising these schemes,” he added.

In a report released last week, the CICC said it recorded a total of 6,453 cases of consumer fraud, accounting for 38% of reported cybercrimes in 2025.

This was followed by online fraud with 4,243 cases (23%), online harassment with 2,160 cases (11%), and identity theft with 1,626 cases (9%).

The report also showed that victims lost a total of nearly ₱418.2 million to consumer fraud, online fraud, hacking, and phishing during the same year.

To combat these cybercrimes, Mr. Paraiso said the CICC’s efforts are ongoing and will be further expanded in 2026.

He said the agency continues its information dissemination initiatives by partnering with various organizations, with plans to broaden these efforts next year.

“The number one weapon that we can rely on is really an informed and educated citizenry,” he said.

In recent weeks, the CICC partnered with digital service platform Maya and online lending application JuanHand for its “Scam Safe” initiative, which aims to protect Filipinos from the growing threat of online scams and cyber fraud.

Mr. Paraiso said that by 2026, the agency plans to partner with more private sector groups, including the Bankers Association of the Philippines and the Online Lending Association, to combat consumer fraud and address other concerns such as online gambling and child exploitation.

CICC’s Hotline 1326, a 24/7 action center, remains open for the public to lodge cybercrime-related complaints.

He assured that complainants would receive feedback on the status of their cases within 24 hours of filing, noting that this helps build public trust.

The CICC is an attached agency of the Department of Information and Communications Technology, the government’s main body tasked with combating and preventing cybercrime.— Edg Adrian A. Eva