Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Visitors flock to Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

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Boracay Island

Harlene Delgado

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177278457241920250429-boracay-visitors-tourism-MD-9870.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Visitors flock to Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan on April 29, 2025. <em>Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File </em></span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>MANILA — The Philippine National Police–Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) has cautioned the public against &quot;vacation scam&quot; where scammers post fake staycation or resort offers. </p><p>PNP-ACG spokesperson Lt. Wallen Mae Arancillo said this fraud proliferates during summer season and the Holy Week break when people usually go on travel and take some time off away from home.</p><p>“Ito iyong mga too good to be true offers na pinu-post po nila sa mga social media o sa mga online marketplaces po,” Arancillo said in an interview with state-run media PTV on Friday, March 6.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/2/25/fbi-says-working-with-southeast-asian-authorities-to-curb-scams-1237"><strong>FBI says working with Southeast Asian authorities to curb scams</strong></a></div><p>“Madalas po gumagamit din po iyong mga scammers ng mga grabbed photos or nakaw na larawan ng mga legit na mga resort or condominium units, and inaalok po nila ito online para makapag-entice o makapaghikayat po ng mga kababayan natin na gustong magbakasyon po,” she added. </p><p>The PNP-ACG received 29 complaints of fake accommodation booking and staycation offers from January to February this year, according to Arancillo.</p><p>“Kasi kadalasan po, iyong ginagawa ng mga cyber criminals po, nanghihingi po sila ng down payment or full payment sa pamamagitan ng mga e-wallet or through bank transfer. Kapag nakuha na nila iyong bayad, hindi na sila makontak at bigla na silang mawawala po,” she said.</p><p>“Kaya pinaaalalahanan din po natin ang publiko na magdoble ingat talaga po sa pag-book online at siguraduhing legit po iyong mga katransaksiyon po natin,” the official added. </p><div> </div><div><strong>RED FLAGS</strong></div><div> </div><p>Arancilllo advised the public to watch out for red flags to avoid falling for scams such as low-price offers that are &quot;too good to be true&quot; and suspicious accounts.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/2/11/gcash-warns-vs-scams-on-fake-apps-on-national-ids-egov-1025"><strong>GCash warns vs scams on fake apps on National IDs, eGov</strong></a></div><p>“Tingnan din natin iyong mga followers, iyong mga comments po doon. And also po, kung walang malinaw po na physical address or business details, walang permit from the government or LGU po, magduda na po tayo doon,” she said. </p><p>“Kung mayroon pong urgency ng payment, iyong agarang pagbayad kasi sabi nila limited lang iyong rooms, kailangan na po nating magbigay ng reservation fee, so iyon talaga ay pinaka-red flag po iyon,” she added. </p><p>The PNP-ACG official further advised the public to research, transact only with legitimate sites and check reviews and feedback. They may also check with the local government unit for permits. </p><p>If scammed, Arancillo recommends to preserve screenshots of the conversation, payment receipt, account details, and profile link of the scammer and report to authorities.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/11/pnp-taps-ai-vs-love-scams-1500"><strong>PNP taps AI vs love scams</strong></a> </div><p>“Maaari po nating isumbong ito sa pinakamalapit na PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group po o mga police stations po na malapit po sa atin. Puwede rin po tayong tumawag sa PNP-ACG official hotlines po para maimbestigahan po natin itong mga insidente po,” she said. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><strong><br/><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5A9EpPgIeqQ?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>The PNP-ACG said this fraud proliferates during summer season and the Holy Week break, when people usually travel and take some time off away from home.</p>

The PNP-ACG said this fraud proliferates during summer season and the Holy Week break, when people usually travel and take some time off away from home.

PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group warns vs ‘vacation scam’ as summer season nears

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PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group warns vs ‘vacation scam’ as summer season nears

Harlene Delgado,

ABS-CBN News

Published Mar 06, 2026 04:12 PM PHT

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PNP-ACG

Vacation scam

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