PNP to Filipinos: Be on lookout for online crypto scams

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Sunday warned the public to stay vigilant against cryptocurrency scams and other online investment schemes after logging more than 300 scam cases last year.

In a statement, the PNP said its Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP) said 311 investment scam cases were reported from January 1 to December 31, 2025.

Of this figure, 12 were cryptocurrency scams, the PNP said.

Such scams usually begin with the suspects offering high returns to lure victims into investing and even encourage them to recruit other victims.

At first, withdrawals may be allowed to gain the victims’ trust. Later on, access to earnings and accounts end up getting blocked, causing the victims to lose their money.

PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. urged victims of such schemes to come forward and report the incidents so that the PNP can help them.

“Hinihikayat namin ang lahat na maging mapanuri, huwag basta-basta magtiwala sa online platforms na nag-aalok ng sobrang taas na kita. Kung may kahina-hinalang aktibidad, agad itong i-report sa pinakamalapit na himpilan ng pulisya,” Nartatez said.

(We urge everyone to be critical, do not easily believe online platforms that offer high returns. If there are suspicious activities, please immediately report these to the police.)

“Hindi lang pera ang nakataya kung di ang inyong seguridad. Tandaan, mas mainam ang magtanong at mag-verify bago mag-invest. Sa ganitong paraan, mapipigilan natin ang mga scammer at mapapanatili ang tiwala sa online financial transactions,” he added.

(Money is not the only thing at stake, but also your security. Remember that it is better to ask and verify before investing. This way, we can stop scammers and maintain trust in online financial transactions.)

The PNP also advised Filipinos to always verify the legitimacy of any online investment or cryptocurrency platform that promise high returns before committing to invest their funds.

Would-be investors should also avoid sharing personal banking or account information online and educate family members about common online fraud schemes, it added. — JMA, GMA Integrated News