Authorities are advising the public to be vigilant when conducting online transactions as cybercrime rates have gone up amid prevailing community quarantine and nationwide restrictions.
NBI Cybercrime Division Chief Vic Lorenzo said the common complaints they have received since the start of lockdowns are phishing, online shopping scams, and love scams where individuals pretend to be in love to extort money from their victims.
“At mas malaki ‘yung playing field nila, mas marami silang possible na mavi-victimize kasi lahat tayo online (Their playing field is wider, and it is possible that they can victimize more since everyone is already online),” Lorenzo cautioned.
The NBI has filed charges to no less than 100 cybercriminals in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some complaints are still pending with prosecutors’ offices and courts.
“Nag-le-leverage ang mga hackers at scammers sa internet. Tayong mga normal na members ng public, dapat i-leverage din natin yung power ng internet (Hackers and scammers use leverage over the internet. Normal members of the public should also leverage the power of the internet),” Lorenzo advised.
“Huwag tayong nagmamadali kung may time naman talaga tayo mag-research (We should not rush if we have time to research),” he added.
The NBI assured the public that it is always going after perpetrators of cybercrime modus. – Report from Kenneth Paciente
