Last year, the Philippines ranked 27th in technological advancement among 197 countries. But as we learn to navigate better in our digital systems, unfortunately, so do the fraudulent mechanisms. The Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA)’s State of Scams Philippines 2026 study revealed that 84 percent of Filipino adults have encountered a scam attempt in 2025, with a total loss amounting approximately P121.8 billion in the last year, mainly through digital wallet transfers. This was based on a survey with 1,160 Filipino adults.
The Philippines joins Cambodia, Myanmar, and Timor-Leste as the top hotspots for digital fraud in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries. “It has not only happened in Cambodia anymore. We see some activities in the borders of Myanmar, in the Philippines, and in Timor-Leste as well,” ASEAN Foundation Executive Director Piti Srisangnam said in a media briefing, citing the study.
Anti-Scam Programs and Games
Consequently, the ASEAN Foundation kicked off its “Scam Ready ASEAN Program” in the Philippines on October 12, aiming to equip three million people across Southeast Asia with skills to recognize, avoid, and prevent online frauds by developing two thousand “Master Trainers” to be cascaded in different regions and communities. In the Philippines alone, around 100 master trainers will be deployed.
Within the program is an anti-scam game called “Scam Ready,” in collaboration with Google, which is an interactive tool that was developed to help users be more wary of fraudulent schemes online. Meanwhile, the Scamcheck.ph website was also launched as another way to verify messages, texts, or emails for potential fraud. The AI-powered site is backed by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the Bank Marketing Association of the Philippines (BMAP).
Aside from these interactive programs, the Philippines has Republic Act No. 12010, or the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act (AFASA), passed in July 2024, which strengthens investigations into online financial fraud and requires banks to detect and flag potential scams in real time. In a report by GMA News last July, there have been more than 500 cases filed against scammers under AFASA.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
GASA’s State of Scams Philippines 2026 study surveyed 1,160 Filipino adults. It found that 84 percent encountered a scam attempt in 2025, causing losses of P121.8 billion, mostly via digital wallets.
Cambodia, Myanmar, Timor-Leste, and the Philippines are ASEAN’s top scam hotspots. ASEAN Foundation Executive Director Piti Srisangnam said the activity is no longer limited to Cambodia, with cases also seen near Myanmar’s borders.
Scam Ready ASEAN, launched in the Philippines on October 12, is an ASEAN Foundation program aiming to train three million people across Southeast Asia to spot and prevent online fraud.
Filipinos can check messages, texts, or emails on Scamcheck.ph, an AI-powered site backed by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. The “Scam Ready” game, made with Google, trains users to spot fraud.
Republic Act No. 12010, enacted in July 2024, strengthens online fraud investigations and requires banks to flag potential scams in real time. GMA News reported over 500 cases filed under it as of July 2026.
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