Following the groundbreaking Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing between the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and GCash, their strengthened commitment has swiftly resulted in the consecutive successful apprehension of cybercriminals. Most recently, seven individuals in Quezon City were arrested for defrauding GCash customers.
Following the arrest, inquest proceedings took place at the Quezon City prosecutor’s office, with charges filed for violating Republic Act 8484, also known as the Access Devices Regulation Law, in connection with RA 10175, the Cybercrime Prevention Act, and RA 11934, or the Subscriber Identity Module Registration Law.
GCash president and CEO Ren-ren Reyes hailed the collaborative efforts, stating, “This underscores our robust partnership in action. We commend the NBI for effectively apprehending the sellers, users, and maintainers of mule accounts. This victory reinforces our collective commitment to safeguarding the Filipino people and their finances.”
NBI director Medardo De Lemos emphasized the evolving nature of crimes in the digital era, stating, “To combat cybercriminals, law enforcement must adapt. As more Filipinos engage in digital transactions, it’s vital for agencies like ours to collaborate closely with entities like GCash, exchanging expertise on cybersecurity measures. This partnership marks a significant milestone in our joint efforts against scammers and fraudsters.”
Between January 2022 and 2023, GCash and NBI jointly blocked over 4 million accounts involved in fraudulent activities and apprehended major fraudsters operating through fake social media platforms and online storefronts.
In line with its mission of enhancing digital financial inclusion while safeguarding cyber security, GCash continues to strengthen its collaboration with NBI to combat scams and fraud. The company remains dedicated to protecting customer information in compliance with global privacy and security standards.
GCash advises users to exercise vigilance when conducting online transactions, urging them to verify the identity of individuals before engaging and refrain from sharing sensitive personal details to prevent online scams.
For reporting scams and fraudulent activities, users can visit the official GCash Help Center at help.gcash.com/hc/en-us or message Gigi on the website with the phrase “I want to report a scam.” It’s important to note that GCash will never solicit personal details, especially MPIN and OTP, via personal messages. Customers can also contact the official GCash hotline at 2882 for inquiries and assistance.
The collaboration between GCash and the NBI has led to a notable rise in cybercriminal arrests, facilitated by GCash’s digital platform and the NBI’s cybercrime expertise. This partnership has strengthened cybersecurity efforts in the Philippines, enabling swift identification and apprehension of online fraudsters. Additionally, initiatives like NBI online registration for digital transactions have streamlined reporting processes, enhancing efficiency in tackling cybercrimes and providing justice to victims.