The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) along with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Scam Watch Pilipinas on Wednesday, March 13 launched the "Online Bantay Lakbay" initiative to combat travel scams.
Scam Watch Pilipinas co-founder and Manila Bulletin Senior Technology Editor Art Samaniego explained the importance of the launch.
"The vacation scams and travel scams come in many forms, but they share one goal: to deceive us of our hard-earned money and gather our information," Samaniego said in a mix of English and Filipino.
"It's evident nowadays that it's worsening because even with local offers, for example, an offer at Okada, when you go there, there's no reservation despite having paid online," he added.
Meanwhile, CICC Executive Director Usec. Alexander Ramos underscored that "it's quite common, but we are here today with reinforced support from our agencies, increasing their presence and intensifying campaigns to reach out to the public."
To represent the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Communications Head, Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation Anna Leah Poteet Morales and Assistant Secretary for Communications and Commuter Affairs Hector A. Villacorta joined the launch.
14 travel scams
The body shared 14 e-travel tactics to raise awareness to the public.
One of those common scam tactics is the "Fake Accomodation."
With these travel scams, culprits use enticing villas, apartments, or even seemingly legitimate hotel rooms advertised at unbelievably low rates to deceive unsuspecting individuals.
"However, there's no booking once the traveler arrives despite having paid in advance," Scam Watch Philippines said in the campaign.
Another is the "Cheap airline tickets on social media."
The CICC warned the public and encouraged them to beware of the super cheap airline tickets being sold on social media.
"Usually, scammers would offer huge discounts with a time limit to pressure to buy immediately," it said.
Other mentioned travel scams are: Fake Wi-Fi, Too-Good-To-Be-True Deals, "Free" Vacation Trap, Fake Travel Agents, Overpriced Tours, Charity Cons, Counterfeit Cash, Hidden CCTVs, Fake Taxi, Selling Lost Luggage on FB, Fake SIMs, and Fixer.
Last February, the CICC warned the public by identifying eight fake e-Travel websites.
However, Samaniego emphasized that these websites are now blocked and reiterates to the public to always report to "1326" in cybercrime related circumstances.