Report spoof messages, online scams, public urged

With online scams appearing to continue unabated, the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) has urged the public to be more alert and report new tricks employed by scammers - including sending "spoof" messages - to help authorities track and prosecute them.

- By JANVIC MATEO

In an interview yesterday with "Storycon" on One News, CICC deputy executive director Assistant Secretary Mary Rose Magsaysay said cybercriminals have found "creative" ways to scam people, especially after the implementation of the SIM card registration law.

Some, for instance, are using "text blasters" to make it appear that the messages come from legitimate sources such as financial institutions and mobile wallets.

Fraudsters are also using other messaging platforms to send scam messages, she added.

"We encourage you to call 1326, our CICC hotline, because every single call and number and instance that we (receive), we get to be able to find out where exactly are these text blasters roaming around," Magsaysay said.

"Sometimes it's in a car, sometimes it's in a tower. It's cheaper to steal that way," she added, referring to the use of "spoofing" devices.

The CICC official said they are working with other government agencies and the private sector to address the issue.

Popular mobile wallets such as GCash and Maya, as well as banks with digital platforms, have repeatedly issued warnings against online scams, including those that use spoofing devices to make it appear that the messages come from them.

They warned the public not to click on links or share one-time passwords or codes sent to their registered devices.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III has also issued a warning against "holiday-themed" scams this Christmas season.

"Let us be careful this Christmas season. There are scammers out there waiting for the opportunity to fool people," Pimentel said.