MALASIQUI: The Ilocos Police Regional Office (PRO-1) has warned residents to be vigilant in dealing with online promotions on social media as cases of scams in the region are increasing. PRO-1 anti-cybercrime unit chief Col. Larry Buansi said during the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas forum hosted by the Philippine Information Agency-Ilocos on Tuesday that prevalent online scams include offering discounted products or promotional tours, which later turn out to be bogus. 'We urge the public to validate and do not easily give personal information or payment,' he said. 'Do not easily believe everything they say online.' The Ilocos police is implementing advocacy campaigns such as 'Think Before You Click' to help prevent cybercrimes. Buansi said all police stations in the region has a cyber response team composed of at least two trained officers in every locality. PRO-1 data showed that online scam topped the list of reported cybercrimes and cyber-related incidents in the first semesters of 2023 and 2024, with 5 9 and 50 cases, respectively. There were 22 online libel cases recorded from January to June 2024, way higher than the five cases during the same period in 2023; and 14 illegal access in 2024, lower than the 17 in 2023. Computer-related identity theft increased to 10 this year from zero reports in 2023. Six anti-photo and video voyeurism, seven automated teller machine or credit card fraud, three cases of unjust vexation, two cases of grave coercion, a case of illegal interception, an online sexual abuse, and a case of child abuse were likewise recorded during the first half of 2024. 'Do not hesitate to report to the police stations any cybercrimes and the police personnel are trained and would be willing to assist you,' he said. Source: Philippines News Agency