Foreign and domestic tourists visiting Bantayan Island are warned to be extra careful when transacting online to avoid scams.

Hotel and resort industry players in Bantayan Island sought the assistance of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) after falling victims to identity theft. Their online portals were used by scammers to dupe tourists.

The tourism stakeholders have united against what they describe as massive online scamming that targets tourists interested in visiting Bantayan Island.

According to Atty. Wenceslao Galendez, NBI-Central Visayas Regional Office agent, and Police Captain Mark Anthony Ferdeluces of Police Regional Office (PRO) 7, the complainants said that scammers create online pages that resemble legitimate digital portals of hotels and resorts, and offer so-called too-good-to-be-true packages and privileges.

After tourists pay through online transaction, they would learn of the scamming once they arrive at the hotel or resort where bookings are unconfirmed, or non-existent.

Since September 2025, around 200 tourists have fallen victims to the said modus operandi.

The tourism stakeholders worry that more tourists would be duped by scammers, as Holy Week, deemed peak season, approaches.