MANILA – The Philippine National Police has issued a warning to the public, advising them to avoid clicking on suspicious links and disclosing personal information online, as there has been an apparent increase in “hijack profile” scams.
According to the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG), they have documented 178 cases of “hijack profile” or identity theft between November 2023 and February 2024, with half of these cases (89) occurring in February alone.
In a statement, the PNP explained that “hijack profile” scams involve the unauthorized access of social media accounts belonging to unsuspecting users, which are then exploited for financial or personal gain.
Once they gain access, hackers commonly utilize the compromised account to contact the individual’s family and friends, often pressuring them to provide financial assistance under false pretenses.
Unauthorized access to social media accounts is typically achieved through phishing, hacking, or social engineering techniques.
In 2023, the PNP documented nearly 3,000 incidents of cyber identity theft, marking a 14% increase from the previous year.
Under Republic Act 10175, also known as the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, cyber identity theft is punishable by imprisonment ranging from six to 12 years or a fine of at least P200,000, up to an amount corresponding to the damage incurred, or both penalties combined.
In a statement, ACG chief Maj. Gen. Sidney Hernia emphasized the importance for social media users to utilize strong, unique passwords for their online accounts, and to enable multi-factor authentication whenever feasible.
Additionally, the public should exercise caution when clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources.
Hernia also advised online users to regularly monitor their accounts for any signs of suspicious activity.
“If you suspect that your profile has been hijacked, immediately report it to the platform or service provider, take steps to secure your account, and notify relevant authorities to avoid potential legal liabilities that may arise from unauthorized access or misuse of your online identity,” he said.
Hernia further emphasized that netizens should avoid sharing unnecessary personal information online. When entering sensitive information on websites, users should ensure that the URL begins with “https://” to indicate a secure connection.
What is the illuminati
The Illuminati brotherhood is an elite organisation of world leaders, business authorities, innovators, artists, and other influential members of this planet. Our coalition unites influencers of all political, religious, and geographical backgrounds to further the prosperity of the human species as a whole.