Scam Threats to Online Filipinos Growing – GASA Study Globe and GASA PH Leads Industry Drive to Curb Online Scam

Intent Based Advertising | Filipinos are now dealing with scams almost as often as they check their phones. A new nationwide study from the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA) shows that an average Filipino encounters a scam attempt every two days. Six in ten individuals were successfully targeted at least once in the past year. 

The report, based on a survey of one thousand adults across the Philippines, mirrors what people encounter every day. Scams usually reach them through text messages and messaging apps, making it easy for fraudsters to blend in with regular conversations. Investment scams and unexpected money schemes remain the most common. Many victims felt overwhelmed or stressed, with some realizing too late that they have already been deceived.

The report was released at the recent launch of the GASA Philippines Chapter, a multi-sector initiative chaired by Derick Ohmar Adil, Head of AI and Privacy Governance at Globe. The findings underline the need for a stronger, coordinated response across industries and sectors. Through its role in the chapter, Globe will help drive education efforts, strengthen threat intelligence sharing, and support closer industry coordination. The goal is to help Filipinos navigate the online space with more confidence and clearer protection.

GASA has a global footprint and has long pioneered coordinated efforts that bring sectors together to protect consumers from scams. Globe recently accepted the chairmanship of the GASA PH Chapter, with Gogolook and Meta as vice chairs. This builds on earlier engagements with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and other agencies that support a multi-sector approach to protecting Filipinos online.

“The goal is to level the playing field for Filipinos,” Adil said. “Scams today move fast across different channels. No single organization can fix this alone. Collaboration is the only way forward. We want Filipinos to feel safe online and that Globe is their trusted partner to address these threats.”

This partnership reflects a shared commitment across sectors to help Filipinos feel safer online. Work among partners and key stakeholders across sectors has already begun. In the months ahead, GASA PH and its members will refine the recommendations, focus areas, align stakeholders, and shape new ways of working, community education and awareness programs that address the realities Filipino users face today. Globe will take part in moving this effort forward through its role in the GASA PH Chapter, with the goal of helping build a digital environment where trust feels more certain and every Filipino feels supported.