Several gambling sites and apps used for account takeovers in the recent increase in phishing scams were discovered in an investigation conducted by the National Privacy Commission (NPC) and the leading mobile wallet GCash.
Some influencers may have inadvertently promoted these gaming apps, unaware of their fraudulent nature.
Because of this, GCash has strongly warned its users to be extremely careful when accessing online gambling sites and apps, and to avoid them if possible.
In this latest scheme, the perpetrators created gambling apps while pretending to be accredited by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). These apps trick users through the verification process, redirecting them to a fake GCash website or payment page for betting credits. From there fraudsters are able to access sensitive information such as credit card details, passwords, GCash numbers, MPINs, OTPs, and other personal data that can be used to gain unauthorized access to user accounts.
“The trust and safety of our customers remain our top priority which is why we are relentless in ensuring the public is made aware of phishing scams related to online gambling. This goes hand-in-hand with our own world-class security features and innovations that gives our users additional layers of protection against evolving threats,” emphasized GCash Chief Technology and Operations Officer Pebbles Sy.
GCash warns against gambling apps used for phishing
Last month the mobile wallet company announced its collaboration with various law enforcement agencies to investigate a foiled phishing attempt that was fixed by the GCash cybersecurity team on the same day they monitored the incident. GCash’s internal investigation traced the phishing link to fraudulent messages posing as SIM card registration.
“Our intensified collaboration with law enforcement authorities will continue to expose these scams, but we encourage everyone to join this crusade by staying informed about phishing,” added Sy.
GCash continues cooperating with authorities, including the Philippine National Police (PNP), the National Bureau of Investigation, and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center.
GCash once again reminds users never to share their MPIN or OTP with others and avoid clicking on unknown links from websites, emails, or messaging apps.
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