The Philippine National Police (PNP) has warned the public about the increasing threat of cybercrime, as criminals use the anonymity of the Internet to commit illegal acts and evade arrest.
Lt. Aileen Marie Remedio, team leader of Bohol Cyber Response Team, said that cybercriminals create fake or dummy accounts, or steal the identity of real people, to scam, defame, or harass others online.
She said that cybercrime has become more prevalent because people rely heavily on social media and other communication technologies, such as messenger or chat services and text messages.
Remedio revealed these information during the Open Forum program’s January 25, 2024 episode, hosted by Ardy Araneta-Batoy. She was joined by Staff Sgt. Van Harem Lingues, another member of the PNP’s anti-cybercrime group.
Remedio advised people to exercise safety online and to minimize posting personal information on social media. She also urged people to be careful when sending identification across the Internet to prevent identity theft.
She said that anyone can be a victim of cybercrime, regardless of their socio-economic status.
She also explained what a troll is, and how they operate. She said that trolls are people who use fake accounts to malign or damage the reputation of another person.
Remedio said that trolls can be part of a troll farm, which is a group of trolls with a common goal, usually backed by someone who wants to destroy another person’s reputation.
She said that trolls can create multiple fake accounts by using different email addresses or cellphone numbers.
She said that the police can arrest a suspected troll by conducting an entrapment operation, where they convince the troll to meet up with them.
Meanwhile, Lingues revealed that they have arrested some cybercriminals through entrapment operations.
He said that the motives of cybercriminals vary, depending on the type of crime, noting that cyberlibel, which is the online publication of false or malicious information, is often driven by anger.
He said that scammers, who deceive people into giving money or personal information, are motivated by greed.
Lingues added that some suspects of cyberlibel show remorse for their actions, while others accept the consequences. He said that cyberlibel carries a penalty of six to 12 years in prison.