30 complain of losing cash from GCash accounts, e-wallet firm coordinating with authorities

Over 30 individuals have filed complaints so far this year before the PNP Anti-Cyber Crime Unit in eastern Metro Manila after losing thousands of pesos in their GCash accounts.

According to Emil Sumangil's report on "24 Oras", the complaints wondered why they weren't alerted by text messages containing one-time passwords—a requirement before cash transfers through the e-wallet could be made.

The Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) said that only the operating company of GCash could clarify the incident.

However, its spokesperson said the unit would go after the suspects should the firm coordinate with the investigation.

“Sila naman ang nakakakita ng ins and outs ng money transaction, so whether na pumunta samin, to ask for police report, ultimately sila pa rin ang mag-iimbestiga niyan because they have their own anti-fraud department,” PNP Spokesperson Michelle Sabino said.

In a separate statement, GCash said it was now coordinating with the authorities in going after the fraudsters. It also introduced the “Double Safe” security feature, “which uses facial verification as another measure to protect our customers”.

“We want to remind our customers to be vigilant against scammers and never share their MPIN or one-time password with anyone,” it added.

Customers who will fall victim to fraud-related schemes were advised to report the incident to GCash through their help center at https://help.gcash.com/hc/en-us or contact their hotline at 2882 for other queries and concerns. —Sundy Locus/NB, GMA Integrated News