LIPA CITY, Batangas (PIA) – The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Calabarzon has warned the public to remain vigilant to avoid becoming victims of online scams.
In a recent episode of the Philippine Information Agency Calabarzon’s Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas, Jerome Hernandez, Chief of the NBI Rizal District Office, emphasized the importance of thinking wisely and critically, particularly among elderly individuals, to avoid falling prey to scammers.
Hernandez highlighted several common types of scams reported to the NBI, including the well-known love or romance scam, investment scams, cryptocurrency scams, and scams involving the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
“There are scams involving AI, commonly known as Artificial Intelligence, where someone might call or even video call you, looking exactly like someone you know. They use AI to mimic appearances. There is also voice cloning, which imitates someone’s voice, pretending to be your sibling or relative and claiming they’ve been involved in an accident. Don’t believe them,” Hernandez warned.
To enhance their efforts in addressing public concerns, the NBI conducts mass media campaigns to share the latest information about specific operations or tactics used by scammers and continues to collaborate with other law enforcement agencies.
Hernandez added: “We have open sources for law enforcement provided through training; they keep us updated and inform us about the modus operandi of various syndicates. For instance, AI is very popular, but not everyone is aware of it, especially those who are not tech-savvy or familiar with gadgets or computers.”
According to Regional Director Ramos A. Olivo, NBI Calabarzon is currently working to establish its own digital forensic laboratory to better combat and handle the increasing cases of cybercrime in the region.
“This project is vital for our region, as almost all cases reported to the NBI office are computer-related or cyber issues. It will significantly enhance our ability to handle investigations of cybercrime cases,” Olivo said.
The bureau’s presence in Calabarzon is evident through its six district offices, which provide investigative, clearance, and forensic services, while 19 satellite offices handle the processing and issuance of NBI Clearances. (CO/PIA-4A)
Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas is a weekly media forum program of the Philippine Information Agency, in partnership with the Presidential Communications Office, highlighting the programs, projects, and policies of the national government under the Bagong Pilipinas governance agenda of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s administration.
