Filipinos encounter scam attempts nearly every two days, with six in 10 people successfully targeted at least once in the past year, according to a new nationwide study by the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA).
The report is based on a survey of 1,000 adults across the Philippines. It shows that scams most often reach people through text messages and messaging apps, where fake messages can easily blend in with normal conversations. Investment scams and offers of unexpected money were the most common schemes reported.
Many victims said the experience left them stressed or overwhelmed. Some only realized they had been scammed after the damage was already done, the study found.
The findings were presented during the launch of the GASA Philippines Chapter, a multi-sector group chaired by Derick Ohmar Adil, head of artificial intelligence (AI) and privacy governance at Globe. The chapter aims to strengthen cooperation across industries to reduce online scams and improve protection for users.
Through its role in the chapter, Globe said it will help support public education, share scam-related information with partners, and encourage closer coordination across sectors to address online fraud.
GASA operates globally and brings together companies, government agencies, and other groups to protect consumers from scams. Globe recently accepted the chairmanship of the GASA Philippines Chapter, with Gogolook and Meta serving as vice chairs. The group also builds on earlier work with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and other government agencies.
“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.”
GASA PH and its members said work is already underway. In the coming months, the group plans to refine its recommendations, align priorities across sectors, and roll out education and awareness programs that reflect how Filipinos actually experience scams online. Globe said it will continue to take part in these efforts through its role in the GASA Philippines Chapter.