Manila: The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) has issued a public warning regarding the increasing number of fake Facebook accounts and other social media pages that are impersonating the agency to deceive victims of scams.

According to Philippines News Agency, CICC Undersecretary Renato Paraiso announced that there have been reports of deceitful groups exploiting the agency's name, logo, and identity. These groups entice scam victims to pay fees under the pretense of assisting them in recovering money lost to previous online frauds. "In effect, these victims are being scammed twice," Paraiso stated.

The CICC emphasized that it does not charge for handling complaints, helping victims, or conducting cybercrime investigations. Paraiso made it clear that "our services are entirely free," highlighting that cybercriminals have expanded their targets to include not only ordinary citizens but also government agencies by creating fake accounts to build trust with the public.

The agency urged the public to use only the CICC's official and verified communication channels, warning that any account requesting money for processing or legal fees is a scam. To combat this issue, the CICC is enhancing its cooperation with the Presidential Communications Office, Meta-the parent company of Facebook-and independent fact-checking organizations. The goal is to ensure swift reporting, verification, and removal of fake accounts and fraudulent content.

Citizens are encouraged to report any suspicious pages immediately via Hotline 1326 or through any of the CICC's official communication channels.