Philippines SEC and Police Join Forces Against Online Investment Scams

The Philippines’ Securities and Exchange Commission and the Philippine National Police have signed a joint agreement to strengthen efforts against online investment scams and cyber-enabled financial fraud in Central Luzon.

The partnership was formalized through a memorandum of agreement between the SEC’s Tarlac Extension Office (TAREO) and the PNP Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit 3 (RACU 3) under the SEC Communication, Advocacy and Network (SEC-CAN) initiative.

According to TAREO Director Richard Laus, the collaboration aims to combine regulatory oversight with cybercrime enforcement to improve investor protection and financial literacy across local communities.

Under the agreement, both agencies will conduct seminars, cybersecurity awareness campaigns, technical training, and public consultations focused on identifying fraudulent investment schemes, fake lending platforms, and online high-yield investment scams circulating on social media and messaging platforms.

RACU 3 chief Col. Miguel Guzman said stronger inter-agency cooperation and information sharing are becoming increasingly important as scammers adopt more sophisticated digital tactics.

The initiative comes amid intensified enforcement actions by the Philippine SEC against alleged investment fraud operations. Authorities recently moved against the crypto-related scheme “Riscoin” and previously conducted enforcement operations linked to the “Royal Kingdom of Maharlika” investment case.

Officials said the partnership is intended to strengthen public trust, improve digital financial awareness, and enhance protection against rapidly evolving cyber-enabled financial crimes targeting Filipino investors.