Love scam cases drop by 51%

MANILA, Philippines — Cases of love scams have dropped by at least 51 percent so far this year based on data from the police Anti-Cybercrime Group.

The ACG documented 77 love scams from Jan. 1 to Nov. 8 compared to 158 cases during the same period last year – a decrease of 51.26 percent.

Love scams are among the crimes perpetrated in illegal Philippine offshore gaming operation hubs, which President Marcos has banned in the country.

Meanwhile, incidents of computer-related identity theft have dropped by 20.51 percent, from 1,409 to 1,120.

ACG spokesperson Lt. Wallen Mae Arancillo attributed the decrease to their intensified cybercrime awareness campaign to the public.

Arancillo said informing the public of the methods of cybercriminals in duping people would prevent more internet-related crimes, which also include phishing attempts and other cyber attacks, from happening.