Love May Be Blind, but Trust Shouldn’t Be: GCash Strengthens Consumer Protection Efforts Against Love Scams

GCash continues to step up its security systems and awareness campaigns as part of its thrust in consumer protection. The initiative aligns with advisories from the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG).

Authorities say love scams remain one of the most common online fraud schemes, where criminals build and take advantage of emotional connections before asking for money. Recent data from the CICC shows 123 love scam complaints in 2025, with 18 cases recorded in January 2026 alone. Cases usually increase during the love month as scammers become more active.

Common signs of romance/love scams

Government advisories highlight several warning signs:

· Sudden requests for money under the guise of emergencies, travel, or medical needs

· Refusal to meet in person or join live video calls

· Profiles with overly polished or unrealistic photos

· Persistent pressure to send money or invest in unfamiliar platforms

Authorities remind the public to be extra vigilant, verify identities, and avoid sending money to people they have only met online.

Investing in prevention and user protection

To help stop scams before they happen, GCash continues to invest in technology, partnerships, and user education. The company works closely with the DICT, CICC, PNP-ACG, and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to support investigations and public awareness efforts.

On the platform, GCash maintains several layers of protection, including:

· Verified user identities through strict KYC processes

· Real-time fraud monitoring

· Account security features such as PINs, OTPs, and device checks

· Confirmation prompts when sending money to a new contact or recipient

· In-app advisories on common scam tactics

Users can also report suspicious activity through the app’s Help Center or official customer support channels.

“Love scams often rely on emotional manipulation rather than technical attacks,” said Miguel Geronilla, Chief Information Security Officer at Mynt, parent company of GCash. “We continue to strengthen our security systems and work closely with government agencies, but users should always verify before sending money to someone they only know online,” he added.

Government advisories also note that senior citizens are among the most targeted groups, making awareness and platform safeguards even more important.

Through continued investments in security, partnerships, and public education, GCash aims to create a safer digital financial experience for Filipinos, making cybersecurity a top priority for GCash, our partners, and regulators.

For more information, visit www.gcash.com.