You can report an online scam to the National Bureau of Investigation's Cybercrime Division (NBI-CCD) by going in person to file a sworn Complaint Sheet, supported by evidence such as screenshots, chat logs, and proof of payment. Filing is free, there are no advance document requirements just to start, and the initial intake typically takes about an hour, though the investigation itself takes considerably longer.
You report an online scam to the NBI Cybercrime Division (NBI-CCD) by going in person to its Manila-area head office or the nearest Cybercrime Regional Center, accomplishing a Complaint Sheet, and giving a sworn statement supported by your evidence — screenshots, chat logs, transaction records, and proof of payment. Filing is completely free, and the intake itself — from accomplishing the complaint sheet to the case being forwarded for approval — typically takes about an hour, though the investigation that follows takes considerably longer.
Where to File
The NBI's Cybercrime Division handles complaints at the agency's head office, now located at the Filinvest Cyberzone along Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard in Pasay City. If you are outside Metro Manila, you do not need to travel there — the NBI maintains Cybercrime Regional Centers in various parts of the country that can accept and initially process the same kind of complaint. There is no fee to file, and the NBI's own Citizen's Charter lists no advance document requirements just to start the process — you can walk in and begin, though arriving with your evidence organized will make the interview much faster and more useful.
Step by Step: What Happens at the NBI Cybercrime Division
- Step 1 — Accomplish the Complaint Sheet (about 10 minutes). CCD personnel assist you in filling out the initial complaint sheet describing what happened.
- Step 2 — Preliminary interview (about 30 minutes to an hour). An assigned agent or investigator interviews you in more detail and helps finalize the Complaint Sheet, which you then swear to before the appropriate officer.
- Step 3 — Submit your evidence and sworn statement. You and any witnesses execute sworn statements, and investigators collect all supporting documents — this is where your screenshots, receipts, and device evidence come in. Investigators may also examine relevant devices as part of the probe.
- Step 4 — Approval (about 30 minutes). The complaint sheet and the request to open a formal investigation are forwarded to the Office of the Deputy Director for Investigation for approval.
Altogether, the walk-in intake process takes roughly an hour and ten minutes according to the NBI's own published service standards. That figure covers getting your complaint formally on record — it is not the length of the investigation itself. Once a case is opened, the actual work of tracing accounts, requesting records from banks or e-wallets, coordinating with platforms, and building a case for referral to prosecutors can take anywhere from several weeks to many months, depending on how quickly third parties respond and how complex the scheme is.
Evidence to Bring or Gather Before You Go
Because your sworn statement and the supporting documents are what actually drive the investigation, it is worth assembling these before your visit:
- Screenshots of the full conversation with the scammer, including usernames, profile links, and phone numbers used
- Screenshots or copies of the online listing, advertisement, or social media post that led you to the transaction
- Proof of payment — bank transfer confirmations, GCash or Maya reference numbers, deposit slips, or e-wallet transaction history
- Any delivery, shipping, or tracking information if goods were supposedly being sent
- Copies of any government ID, business name, or website the scammer used to appear legitimate
- A simple timeline of events in your own words — dates, amounts, and what was promised versus what happened
Do not delete the original messages or accounts involved even after you have taken screenshots; investigators may need to examine the device or account directly.
What Law Covers Online Scams
Online scams are typically prosecuted as estafa (swindling) under the Revised Penal Code, with the online or electronic character of the scheme treated as an aggravating circumstance under Republic Act No. 10175, the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, which specifically covers computer-related fraud and identity theft and designates the NBI and the PNP as the primary law enforcement agencies for cyber offenses. Where electronic messages, contracts, or records are involved, Republic Act No. 8792, the Electronic Commerce Act, also supplies the framework for treating electronic documents and signatures as valid evidence. If the scam involved multiple victims and a coordinated group acting as a syndicate, the case may also be pursued as syndicated estafa, which carries a heavier penalty.
Alternative and Parallel Options
The NBI Cybercrime Division is not the only avenue. The Philippine National Police's Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) handles the same category of complaints and may be more accessible depending on your location. Nothing stops you from filing with both, though most complainants pick whichever office is more convenient and let that office's referral process take it from there if a criminal case needs to be filed with the prosecutor's office. Separately, you can also file a straightforward estafa complaint directly with the Office of the City or Provincial Prosecutor where the offense occurred or where you reside, which some complainants pursue in parallel with or instead of the NBI route, particularly when the scammer's identity and location are already known.
What Kinds of Online Scams the CCD Handles
The Cybercrime Division was created to investigate the whole range of computer- and internet-facilitated offenses, and online scams make up a large share of what it sees. In practice, common complaint categories include online selling scams where a buyer pays but never receives the item, or a seller never gets paid after shipping; investment and lending scams run through social media or messaging apps promising unrealistic returns; phishing schemes that trick victims into revealing banking or e-wallet credentials; romance scams where an online relationship is used to solicit money; and impersonation of legitimate businesses, government agencies, or even law enforcement to pressure a victim into paying. Whatever the specific scheme, the common thread the NBI looks for is the same: a false representation made online or through electronic means that induced you to part with money or property.
Because many scams cross police jurisdictions or even national borders, the NBI's national reach and its coordination channels with banks, telecom companies, and international counterparts are often the practical reason victims are advised to bring a complaint here rather than to a local police station alone — though filing with your local police station or the PNP-ACG is never the wrong move if that is what is accessible to you.
Do You Need a Lawyer to File?
No. Filing the initial complaint with the NBI Cybercrime Division does not require a lawyer — you can walk in, describe what happened, and give your sworn statement directly to CCD personnel. Where a lawyer becomes valuable is in organizing your evidence before you go, drafting a clear and complete affidavit-complaint if the matter proceeds to the prosecutor's office, calculating and documenting your actual losses, and representing you if the case is filed in court or if the accused files a countersuit. If you cannot afford private counsel at that later stage, the Public Attorney's Office provides free legal assistance to qualified indigent complainants and can assist with drafting the complaint-affidavit and appearing at preliminary investigation.
What Happens After You File
Once your complaint is approved for investigation, expect the NBI to request additional documents, follow up for clarificatory statements, and coordinate with banks, e-wallets, telecom providers, or online platforms to trace the money and identify the person behind the scam. If the investigation develops enough evidence, the NBI will endorse the case, with a recommendation, to the appropriate prosecutor's office for preliminary investigation and possible filing of criminal charges in court. Keep copies of everything you submitted, note your reference or case number, and follow up periodically — cybercrime investigations move at the pace of the third-party records they depend on, so proactive follow-up genuinely helps.
Recovering your money is a separate track from the criminal case, and it is worth pursuing both. Filing a complaint with your bank or e-wallet provider's fraud or dispute desk as soon as you notice the scam — ideally before you even go to the NBI — can sometimes freeze funds still sitting in the recipient's account before they are withdrawn. A criminal conviction can also result in an order for the accused to indemnify you, but that outcome depends on the case being filed, tried, and resolved, which is a much longer process than the initial report itself. Treat the NBI complaint as the start of a process rather than a one-visit fix, and keep your own dated record of every follow-up you make.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it cost anything to file a cybercrime complaint with the NBI? No. Filing a complaint with the NBI Cybercrime Division is free of charge, and the NBI's own service standards list no advance document requirements just to begin the process.
What evidence should I bring when reporting an online scam? Bring screenshots of your full conversation with the scammer, the listing or ad that led you to the transaction, proof of payment such as bank or e-wallet reference numbers, and a simple written timeline of what happened and when.
How long does the NBI take to investigate an online scam complaint? The walk-in intake to formally record your complaint takes about an hour, but the investigation itself — tracing accounts and coordinating with banks, telecoms, or platforms — can take anywhere from several weeks to many months depending on the case.
Can I report an online scam to the police instead of the NBI? Yes. The Philippine National Police's Anti-Cybercrime Group handles the same category of complaints and may be more accessible depending on where you are, and you can also file an estafa complaint directly with the prosecutor's office.
This commentary is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For guidance specific to your situation, please consult a licensed attorney.
Filing with the NBI is only the opening move in what can be a long process, so treat your evidence, your reference number, and your follow-up as seriously as the initial complaint itself.