By Aila T. Villanueva
VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur — Love scams are now the most common type of fraud in the Ilocos Region, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) Ilocos Region said during an interview on an Ammuentayo radio program on November 4, 2025.
Lawyer Ana Minelle Maningding, NTC Ilocos Region legal officer, confirmed that love scams topped the list of fraud reports received in 2025.
Maningding said that most of the 59 online scams reported in 2024 and the 20 in 2025 were love scams. Meanwhile, there were 1,145 reports of cellphone or SIM blocking in 2025, up from 419 the previous year.
“They court you, go through the ‘getting to know you’ stage, and once they gain your trust, they start borrowing money. When you finally lend a large amount, they disappear,” Maningding said.
She added that one victim thought they were communicating with a foreigner online, but later discovered it was a scammer.
“This usually happens on dating sites. Scammers are there, so you must be careful,” she warned.
According to Maningding, love scams usually target older adults or seniors who are single or widowed and spend a lot of time online. Scammers exploit emotional vulnerability, spending weeks or months building a false sense of trust.
“Scammers take their time chatting with victims to make them feel comfortable. They claim financial capability but say they’re in a temporary crisis, promising to repay immediately. Once you believe their story, they manipulate you into sending more money,” she said.
Mobile fraud, lost phones
Maningding noted that the NTC also receives many requests for tracking lost or stolen phones. She urged caution during the holiday season, especially in crowded areas and shopping centers.
She reminded users to block their device’s International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number and replace SIM cards immediately if phones are lost or stolen.
“To report scams or spam messages, visit https://ntc.gov.ph,” she advised.
However, Maningding clarified that the NTC can only block devices and numbers. It does not investigate perpetrators or maintain an investigative database.
“If you want to file a cybercrime case, go to the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group. The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) at https://cicc.gov.ph also offers an online complaint platform. You can select the scam type, upload screenshots or evidence, and they will coordinate with the proper authorities,” she said.
B.I.R.D. method
Maningding reiterated the B.I.R.D. method—Block, Ignore, Report, Delete suspicious messages—to prevent online scams. She warned that responding to unfamiliar numbers can mark your phone as active, attracting more fraud attempts.
Fraud can also occur from clicking unknown websites or responding to fraudulent messages.
“Always be cautious. Verifying information takes time, but the effort can save you from becoming a victim,” she emphasized.
The NTC Ilocos Region continues to warn the public against scams and mobile fraud, encouraging safe online practices. Through cooperation with law enforcement and awareness campaigns, the commission aims to reduce cyber fraud in the region. (CCMT/ATV, PIA Ilocos Sur)
