If you are one of the many people who have been targeted by a Philippines sextortion scam, it is important to take action immediately. These scams are designed to intimidate and exploit victims, so it is crucial to get help as soon as possible. Here are some tips you can use to protect yourself from further harm.
What Are the Sextortion Laws in The Philippines Under the Cybercrime Prevention Act?
Due to a large number of cyber-crimes in the Philippines, especially sextortion, the Philippine government appointed three laws that ensure these criminals get brought to justice. Philippine law outlines specific penalties and definitions for crimes, guiding victims on their rights and the legal avenues available to them.
This act considers sextortion a criminal offense if the sextortion were to happen in two ways:
- If the victim did not pay their harasser’s demands, the crime is still deemed a “grave threat” and punishable.
- If the harasser were to succeed in obtaining their ransom amount, they will be charged with “Robbery by Intimidation”
Either way, these criminals will be held accountable. The threat of exposure or harm is punishable on its own. This law also penalizes the production and distribution of materials depicting child sexual abuse, including visual elements of a child’s private body parts.
This act ensues harsher penalties for sextortionists committing their crimes through the internet for the same acts committed without the use of the internet. Offenders will be charged with a sextortion penalty one degree higher based on the idea that sextortionists have easy access to more potential victims and cause more harm through the use of the internet. The law also aims to combat online sexual abuse and exploitation of children, including the prohibition of child pornography.
This act prohibits the publication of any sexually explicit image or video online, even if there was consent between all parties involved. This includes the prohibition of sexual images. Offenders can face up to 3 to 7 years imprisoned and receive fines of up 100,000 pesos which equates to 2,000 USD.
Will Law Enforcement Agencies Help Victims of Sextortion?
When dealing with sextortion and the whereabouts of the perpetrator, the process can become time-consuming and difficult. Sextortion is happening all over the world, and that can make things difficult if a perpetrator were to be in a completely different country. So, what happens when that’s the case? Can this criminal still get caught and sentenced?
In short, yes but the capturing and sentencing of a sextortionist, in this case, one from the Philippines, is going to be far more difficult to execute than if the suspect was residing in the United States based on laws.
It is still very important to report the crime to local authorities such as the FBI, and National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. We also recommend reporting the crime to the Philippine Government and their law enforcement agencies that handle Sextortion:
- The Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group
- The Philippines National Computer Emergency Response Team
Reporting the Crime
Reporting a sextortion crime is a crucial step in seeking justice and holding the perpetrator accountable. If you are a victim of sextortion, it is essential to report the crime to the appropriate authorities as soon as possible.
Steps to Take Immediately
- Preserve evidence: Save all communication with the perpetrator, including messages, emails, and screenshots. This evidence will be crucial in building a case against the perpetrator.
- Contact law enforcement: Reach out to your local law enforcement agency or the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in the Philippines to report the crime. Provide as much detail as possible about the incident, including the perpetrator’s contact information and any relevant evidence.
- File a complaint: File a complaint with the Cybercrime Division of the NBI, which is responsible for investigating cybercrime offenses, including sextortion.
Who to Contact
- National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) – Cybercrime Division: This division specializes in handling cybercrime offenses, including sextortion. They have the expertise and resources to investigate and pursue these cases.
- Local law enforcement agency: Your local police can provide immediate assistance and guide you through the process of reporting the crime.
- Philippine National Police (PNP) – Cybercrime Unit: The PNP Cybercrime Unit is another key agency that deals with cybercrime, including sextortion scams.
- Department of Justice (DOJ) – Office of Cybercrime: The DOJ’s Office of Cybercrime can offer legal support and ensure that your case is handled according to relevant laws.
By taking these steps and contacting the appropriate authorities, you can help bring the perpetrator to justice and prevent further harm.
How to Avoid Sextortion from the Philippines
When it comes to online sextortion, it’s important to know what to look out for. These cybercriminals are targeting popular social media platforms and luring victims in by the dozens of catfish profiles they create consisting of attractive women and men looking to have a “good time”.
Follow these simple tips to avoid Philippine sextortion
- Keep strong privacy settings on all of your online profiles
- Limit the amount of personal information you share about yourself online
- Do not for any reason send any explicit content to someone online, especially a stranger
- Be aware of shady profiles that do not have many photos or haven’t been active for long
Protecting Your Online Identity
Protecting your online identity is crucial in preventing sextortion scams. Here are some best practices to follow:
Best Practices for Online Safety
- Be cautious with online interactions: Be wary of strangers who approach you online, especially if they ask for personal or explicit information. Always verify the identity of the person you are communicating with.
- Use strong passwords: Use unique and strong passwords for all online accounts, and avoid using the same password for multiple sites. A strong password typically includes a mix of letters, numbers, and special characters.
- Enable two-factor authentication: Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) whenever possible to add an extra layer of security to your online accounts. This makes it harder for cybercriminals to gain access to your accounts.
- Keep your software up-to-date: Regularly update your operating system, browser, and other software with the latest security patches. This helps protect your device from vulnerabilities that cybercriminals might exploit.
- Use a reputable antivirus program: Install and regularly update a reputable antivirus program to protect your device from malware and other online threats. This can help detect and remove malicious software that could compromise your security.
- Avoid suspicious links and attachments: Be cautious about clicking on suspicious links or opening attachments from unknown sources, as they may contain malware or phishing scams designed to steal your information.
- Monitor your online accounts: Regularly monitor your online accounts for any suspicious activity. If you notice anything unusual, report it to the relevant authorities immediately.
By following these best practices, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to sextortion scams and protect your online identity. Stay vigilant and proactive in safeguarding your personal information online.
How Are Digital Investigation Experts Working to Combat Philippine Sextortion Scams?
We here at Digital Investigation specialize in all types of cyber-crimes, many of them being Philippine sextortion scams. Our sextortion cases from the Philippines tend to happen on popular platforms such as Skype, Ashely Madison, and Facebook and we have become very knowledgeable on how to handle these criminals and the tactics they use on social media. Offenders often manipulate victims, particularly minors, to create sexually explicit material for their own sexual gratification. Our company’s goal is to take over communication for our clients and ultimately put an end to the harassment by obtaining as much information as we can on the suspect such as their location, possible ID, etc. We then aim to provide our clients proof of deletion of their content and an agreement from their harasser to never contact them again.
We aim to bring back peace of mind to victims. If you or someone you know is a victim of sextortion, give us a call or speak with one of our online representatives. We come with a 90% success rate in obtaining proof of deletion of your content. Criminals use various tactics, including engaging in actual sexual intercourse with minors, which is a serious form of child sexual exploitation with significant legal implications. Do not suffer anymore, reach out for help! We hope these tips were of use, stay safe! If you become a victim of online sextortion – report it to sextortion helpline 24\7
