House inquiry sought on online buying scams

Stock image / Inquirer files

MANILA, Philippines — A party list lawmaker has pushed for an inquiry after the 2023 Asia Scam Report said the Philippines had the highest rate of online shopping scams among 11 Asian countries, including Taiwan, Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam, China and Indonesia.

1-PACMAN party Rep. Michael Romero’s House Resolution No. 1727 asks the House committee on trade and industry to look into the proliferation of online shopping scams in the country, citing the state policy to protect consumer interest.

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He said that in 2023, a total of 19,844 cybercrimes were recorded, with 11,071 cases or 55.67 percent, of these online scams.

“Complaints were received from online consumers of expensive products and gadgets who instead received boxes containing wet wipes, rocks or toilet papers,” Romero noted. “There has been a proliferation of other complaints filed by consumers against these e-commerce platforms for deceptive, unfair and unconscionable online sales and practices,” he added. —Jeannette I. Andrade