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Jessie Cruzat

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) on Tuesday warned the public against a new scam tactic called &quot;quishing,&quot; in which fake QR codes are used to steal victims&#x27; personal and financial information.Authorities said cybercriminals have found ways to exploit QR codes through &quot;quishing,&quot; or QR phishing, in which victims are redirected to fake websites designed to steal personal information and financial credentials.PNP-ACG Director PMGen. Wilson Asueta urged the public to verify QR codes before making online payments.“Hindi lahat ng naka-post sa store ay nilagay ng authorized owner. Doon lang tayo sa authorized and legitimate QR code… Ito ay ginagamit sa online selling but of course sa iba-ibang website, gagamitin ito usually for payment, kukuha ng pera and personal information.”Despite the emergence of the new scam scheme, data from the PNP-ACG showed fewer reported online scam victims this year.From January to June, the agency recorded 510 online selling scam cases, around 50 percent lower than 1,060 incidents reported during the same period last year.Police also reported a decline in victims of investment scams, vishing or voice phishing, and love scams.“Well, sabi ko nga medyo bumaba na yung mga report about love scam because marami nang nakakaalam. So, they know already yung mga red flags. So, alam na nila na yung mga palusot ng mga cyber criminals, lalong-lalo na itong mga emergency, medical expenses, problema sa custom,” Asueta added.ScamWatch Pilipinas co-founder Art Samaniego said cybercriminals often prey on emotions rather than logic, making even experienced users vulnerable.“Ang cybercrime, kaya naging effective siya, hindi niya inaatake yung logic, hindi niya inaatake yung utak, kundi inaatake niya yung emotion,” said Samaniego.Authorities said children and senior citizens, who are less familiar with digital technology, are among those commonly targeted by online scammers, but professionals can also fall victim.One victim, identified only as Carl, lost more than P60,000 after a scammer posing as a bank representative convinced him to reveal his one-time password (OTP).“Hindi ko namamalayan sa pag-uusap namin, nadadala niya na ako. May mga hinihingi na niya sa aking OTP na walang pag-aalinlangan binabanggit ko sa kanya hanggang sa nabuksan niya ang online bank ko… Sobrang professional. Trained talaga siya,” said Carl.The PNP-ACG urged the public to immediately report online scams so authorities can take appropriate action.Officials also reminded the public to stay vigilant and verify QR codes before sharing personal or financial information.

The Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) on Tuesday warned the public against a new scam tactic called "quishing," in which fake QR codes are used to steal victims' personal and financial information.

The Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) on Tuesday warned the public against a new scam tactic called "quishing," in which fake QR codes are used to steal victims' personal and financial information.

Police warn vs. 'quishing' or QR code scam

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Police warn vs. 'quishing' or QR code scam

Jessie Cruzat,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 22, 2026 09:01 PM PHT

Read More:

Quishing

QR code phishing

online scam

PNP-ACG

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