A senator has filed Senate Bill No. (SBN) 2924, or the Philippine Scam Prevention Center Act, to combat rising online scams and financial fraud.
SBN 2924 proposes creating the Philippine Scam Prevention Center (PSPC) under the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) to enforce laws on digital fraud and financial scams.
The PSPC will serve as a one-stop hub for scam-related offenses, working with agencies such as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), National Privacy Commission (NPC), financial institutions, telecom companies, e-commerce platforms, and fintech firms.
“With the increasing reliance on digital platforms, criminals have become more sophisticated in deceiving the public. This bill aims to strengthen our response by creating a dedicated center that will ensure timely action against scammers and protect Filipinos from financial losses, which in turn negatively affects critical industries,” said Senator Mark Villar.
The PSPC will lead enforcement efforts against digital fraud, with regional and local centers ensuring accessibility. It will also assist victims in filing cases under the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act and the Cybercrime Prevention Act.
Now up for Senate deliberation, Villar urged public and stakeholder support to strengthen the country’s fight against online fraud.IMT
