Scams, other cybercrimes rise to record 8% of families, says SWS

This undated photo illustration shows a mobile phone displaying a warning for a suspected scam or fraudulent call.

Illustration / Elena Uve

MANILA, Philippines — Eight percent of Filipino families had at least one member fall victim to cybercrime in the six months leading to June, the highest level recorded by Social Weather Stations since it began tracking the figure in 2023.

The June figure was up from 5.8% in March, even as the share of families affected by common crimes such as robbery, break-ins and physical violence declined nationwide.

Cybercrime cases among families rose sharply in Metro Manila, from 10.1% in March to 13.4% in June, and in the Visayas, from 4.1% to 10.4%, SWS said Monday, September 14.

The figure also increased in Mindanao from 5.3% to 8.8%.

Balance Luzon was the only major area to record a decline, from 5.5% to 5.1%.

SWS asked respondents whether they or any family member had fallen victim to online scams, account hacking, cyberbullying or other cybercrimes in the previous six months.

The survey was conducted from June 20 to 29 through face-to-face interviews with 1,200 adults nationwide, with 300 respondents each from Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.

Common crimes decline

Meanwhile, 10% of Filipino families reported that at least one member had fallen victim to a common crime in the previous six months, down from 12.3% in March.

SWS classifies street robbery or pickpocketing, home break-ins, carnapping and physical violence as common crimes.

The Philippine National Police welcomed the decline while acknowledging the growing threat of crimes committed online.

"The PNP, through the Anti-Cybercrime Group... continues to strengthen its response to cyber-related offenses while reminding the public to remain vigilant against online scams, account hacking, cyberbullying, and other forms of digital victimization," the PNP said in a statement Monday.