Filipinos lost an estimated**₱121.8 billion**to scams over the past year, with digital wallets identified as the main channel used to transfer money to fraudsters, according to a report cited by The Philippine Star. The State of Scams Philippines 2026 study estimated that about 11.7 million Filipino adults suffered financial losses, averaging ₱10,427 per victim. The figure is survey-based and extrapolated, not an official tally of every peso reported stolen to authorities in practice.
The report, produced by the Global Anti-Scam Alliance with Mastercard and Gogolook, surveyed 1,160 Filipino adults from March 16 to April 13, 2026. It found that 84% encountered at least one scam attempt in the previous year, while 44% interacted with a scam and 15% reported financial or information-related losses. Among respondents who lost money, 73% said fraudsters received payment through e-wallets, far above the 34% Asian average cited in the report, marking a significant regional difference for users.
Shopping scams were the most common schemes that prompted interaction, accounting for 24% of cases, followed by investment and employment scams at 22% each. The findings point to a practical risk in fast digital payments: money can move quickly even when the seller, recruiter or investment pitch has not been independently verified. Wallet users should treat urgent requests, unfamiliar links, requests for one-time passwords and promises of guaranteed returns as warning signs and verification steps rather than routine transaction instructions.
The report does not mean every e-wallet transaction is unsafe, and its estimate should not be confused with a police or regulator count. It does show why stronger fraud detection, clearer reporting channels and careful user behavior matter as digital payments expand. Consumers should verify recipients, avoid sharing passwords and verification codes, contact the wallet provider promptly after suspicious activity, and preserve screenshots or transaction records for early complaints. A fast payment system needs equally fast safeguards and recovery procedures.
Source:https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2026/10/10/2562116/online-scams-cost-filipinos-p1218-billion-one-year. Real-image credits and licenses are recorded in today’s preparation audit.
