Love May be Blind, but Trust Shouldn’t be: GCash Strengthens Consumer Protection Efforts Against Love Scams

GCash continues to step up its security systems and awareness campaigns as part of its thrust in consumer protection. The initiative aligns with advisories from the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG).

 

Authorities say love scams remain one of the most common online fraud schemes, where criminals build and take advantage of emotional connections before asking for money. Recent data from the CICC show 123 love scam complaints in 2025, with 18 cases recorded in January 2026 alone. Cases usually increase during the love month as scammers become more active.

 

Common signs of romance/love scams

Government advisories highlight several warning signs:

 

·        Sudden requests for money under the guise of emergencies, travel, or medical needs

·        Refusal to meet in person or join live video calls

·        Profiles with overly polished or unrealistic photos

·        Persistent pressure to send money or invest in unfamiliar platforms

Authorities remind the public to be extra vigilant, verify identities, and avoid sending money to people they have only met online.

 

Investing in prevention and user protection

To help stop scams before they happen, GCash continues to invest in technology, partnerships, and user education. The company works closely with the DICT, CICC, PNP-ACG, and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to support investigations and public awareness efforts.

 

On the platform, GCash maintains several layers of protection, including:

·        Verified user identities through strict KYC processes

·        Real-time fraud monitoring

·        Account security features such as PINs, OTPs, and device checks

·        Confirmation prompts when sending money to a new contact or recipient

·        In-app advisories on common scam tactics

Users can also report suspicious activity through the app’s Help Center or official customer support channels.

 

“Love scams often rely on emotional manipulation rather than technical attacks,” said Miguel Geronilla, Chief Information Security Officer at Mynt, parent company of GCash. “We continue to strengthen our security systems and work closely with government agencies, but users should always verify before sending money to someone they only know online,” he added.

 

Government advisories also note that senior citizens are among the most targeted groups, making awareness and platform safeguards even more important.

 

Through continued investments in security, partnerships, and public education, GCash aims to create a safer digital financial experience for Filipinos, making cybersecurity a top priority for GCash, our partners, and regulators.

 

For more information, visit www.gcash.com.

 

PNP, GCash Nab Online seller for Sextortion

The Philippine National Police (PNP), in close coordination with GCash, has recently arrested a suspect who was using his online selling business to gain access to a victim’s private photos or videos for ‘sextortion’, an act of extorting money by threatening to expose sensitive materials.

The PNP identified the suspect as Ronald Hipol, 54, an online seller from Victoria Homes, Brgy. Tunasan, Muntinlupa. Hipol used a social media account under the name ‘Jerry Kantar’ to threaten the victim that he would circulate her sensitive videos unless she paid him P10,000. Hipol also managed to infiltrate the  social media account of the victim’s father-in-law, to whom he sent the same threatening messages.

Unfortunately for the suspect, the victim’s husband is a police officer who immediately coordinated with his fellow law enforcers and GCash to track him down by luring him into receiving his money via e-wallet which led  to  the hunt down and arrest Hipol.

With millions of users and the end goal of financial inclusion, Gcash prioritizes the online safety of its users. While the country’s No. 1 finance super app continues to cooperate with law enforcement authorities against scammers and fraudsters, it also promotes public awareness of these cybercriminal activities so that users know how to avoid them. GCash is in close coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC).

GCash is also urging its users to be extra vigilant of online scammers and fraudsters. When making transactions on the app, users are reminded never to disclose their MPIN or OTP. With the rise in phishing incidents, users are strongly advised never to click links, especially from unknown senders.

For help and assistance, contact the PNP-ACG via their hotlines at (02) 8414-1560, 0998-598-8116, or via email at acg@pnp.gov.ph

To report scams and fraudulent activities, visit the official GCash Help Center at help.gcash.com/hc/en-us or message Gigi on the website and type, “I want to report a scam.” GCash will never send private messages to ask for personal information, especially the MPIN and One-Time Pin (OTP). Customers can also reach out to the official GCash hotline at 2882 for queries and other concerns.

SECURING NBI CLEARANCE BECOMES EASIER UNDER NEW SYSTEM

Manila, Philippines -- 18 May 2015 -- Falling in line at the NBI office for almost awhole day is now a thing of the past. With the full implementation of its on-line registration, Appointment and E-payment System, securing an NBI clearance has become faster, easier and more convenient.

From a 6-step process, the new system has considerably reduced the entire process into three (3) steps: 1) On-line registration, appointment and e-Payment; 2) Photo capture & fingerprint biometrics; and 3) Clearance printing.

“The online registration, appointment and e-Payment system is the bureau’s response to provide a more efficient and convenient process of issuing NBI clearance. It is the solution to eradicate queuing at the NBI clearance centers, shorten both waiting and processing time,” said NBI Director Virgilio Mendez.

The improvements and innovations have made the experience of securing the NBI hassle-free and convenient thru the following:

First, register online at NBI Clearance website - clearance.nbi.gov.ph.  Complete the application form, secure an appointment date then pay the processing fee, which can be made through the following channels:

 Online Banking – customers with local Internet banking access from banks such as BDO, BPI, Metrobank, RCBC, Unionbank, UCPB, Chinabank, PNB, MAybank, Sterling Bank and Eastwest bank can pay online using with real-time debit to their account.

 Over The Counter (Bank) – customer can go to any participating bank (BDO, BPI, Metrobank, RCBC, Chinabank, EastWest Bank, Landbank, Maybank, PNB, Security Bank, Sterling Bank, UCPB and Unionbank) and pay over the counter.

 Over The Counter (Non-Bank) – customers can go to any outlet of Bayad Center, LBC, and Robinsons Dep’t Stores

 ATM and Debit Cards – For customers with ATM cards by BDO, BPI, Unionbank, Chinabank, Maybank, RCBC, PNB and UCPB can pay via ATM.

 Mobile Payment – G-Cash On appointment date, the applicant may proceed to any  of the seventy two (72) NBI Clearance Processing Centers located nationwide for the Photo Capture and Fingerprint Biometrics (2nd step) and Clearance Printing (3rd step).

For applicants with no Internet access, the NBI, as an initial step, has set up computer workstations at its Main clearance processing center in Manila, free of charge. In so far as the Regional and District Offices are concerned, the same will be attended to very soon.,jhl Director Mendez said “the new NBI Clearance Processing system is a step towards improving the service the NBI provides the various publics. In fact, since the full implementation of the new system early this year, there has seen significant improvements and positive feedback”.