The Philippine National Police (PNP) is warning the public against "love scams" as the number of cases doubled in 2023.
The data was released before the Valentine's Day on February 14 wherein the scammers usually attack.
According to PNP Aniti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) Cybercrime Unit Chief PCol. Jay Guillermo, a total of 168 love scam cases were recorded in 2023, way higher than the 94 cases recorded in 2022.
During the pandemic in 2021, there were 144 reported love scam cases recorded but this dropped in the following year.
PNP-ACG's operation revealed that scammers changed their modus to pretending to be an investment agency from simply extorting money from victims.
Guillermo said once scammers have given money, they will gradually disappear.
