Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Centre's (CICC) Battle Against Online Scams

As we approach the festive season, the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) is gearing up for a battle against the escalating wave of online scams, particularly the emergence of scam hubs, alleged to be former Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO). Rojun Hosillos, Director of the CICC Cybercrime Investigation Office, shared insights into this concerning trend, revealing that these scam hubs are well-equipped, fully manned, and utilizing cutting-edge technology in cyber hacking and monitoring.

According to the working theory at the CICC, during the pandemic, when traditional revenue streams for POGOs dwindled, some transformed into scam hubs. Leveraging existing facilities, computers, and personnel, these hubs have become hotbeds for cybercrime, presenting a new and challenging frontier for authorities. What's alarming is that these hubs are not only operated by foreigners but also by Filipinos, marking a shift in the landscape of organized cybercrime.

Hosillos disclosed that cybercrime has burgeoned into a sunrise industry, with unscrupulous cyberscammers extracting hundreds of millions from unsuspecting victims. In 2021 alone, global cybercriminals pocketed approximately $6 trillion, highlighting the staggering scale of the issue. In the Philippines, an estimated P1 billion was lost to online scammers, underscoring the urgent need for robust cybersecurity measures.

In response to this burgeoning threat, the CICC has forged partnerships with key entities, including the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), National Privacy Commission, National Telecommunications Commission, and the private sector group Scam Watch Pilipinas. Together, they have launched the Holiday Watch PH campaign, urging the public to be vigilant against the "12 Scams of Christmas," ranging from fake shipping notifications to crypto investment scams.

To further fortify the cyber defense landscape, the enactment of Republic Act 11967, also known as the Internet Transactions Act of 2023, mandates the creation of a registry of all online merchants and sellers in the Philippines. Lawyer Fhillip Sawali, Director of the Department of Trade and Industry’s Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau, emphasized that this legislation will ensure the registration of entities engaged in online commerce. Directpath Global Technologies (DGT), a stalwart in cybersecurity, stands ready to play a pivotal role in securing this digital frontier.

As online scams reach unprecedented levels, the collaboration between government agencies, private sectors, and cybersecurity experts becomes paramount. Directpath Global Technologies (DGT) reaffirms its commitment to fortifying the digital landscape, offering advanced solutions in eXtended Detection and Response (XDR), Vendor Risk Management as a Service (VRMaaS), Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT), Web Application Firewall (WAF), and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA). Together, let's secure our digital future and protect against the rising tide of cyber threats.