(UPDATED) MANILA, Philippines — Money swindled through any form of online scam can be recovered if the incident is reported early, the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) said on Monday.
The CICC signed a partnership agreement with the Presidential Anti Organized Crime Commission to further strengthen the government’s fight against all forms of online scams and forms of organized crimes on the internet. “Because of this partnership, there’s now a chance [that you can retrieve your money. You have to remember that CICC is also a signatory to the Data Sharing Agreement with BSP (Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas) Consumer Account Protection Office because under the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act law there’s a chance that we can recover it we were able to report it fast,” Renato “Aboy” Paraiso, CICC executive director, said.
“For example if you transacted money and you were able to report it quickly, the CICC can instruct the BSP CAPO to void the transaction,” Paraiso said.
Crackdown on illegal online gambling
Aside from illegal online lending operations, the agencies will also target individuals involved in online scams, particularly those operating illegal online gambling platforms.
Paraiso warned that some of these platforms manipulate players and are designed to extract money from victims.
“Manipulated siya,” Paraiso said. “Talagang kinukuha niya ‘yung mga pera ng mga tao. Niloloko niya ‘yung mga kababayan natin.”
The CICC will assist in conducting digital forensics operations and lead efforts to block illicit gambling websites and online content.
“This partnership underscores the commitment of the CICC and PAOCC to lead the fight against illegal online activities nationwide, with the goal of cleaning up the digital landscape and bringing perpetrators to justice while ensuring a safer and more secure online environment,” the CICC said in a statement.
