PNP warns against vacation scams ahead of 2026 summer season

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP ACG) on Wednesday warned the public against vacation scams ahead of this year’s summer season.

Commonly advertised on social media, the schemes promise accommodations but end up being non-existent or inaccurate compared to their online posts, ACG spokesperson Lt. Wallen Mae Arancillo told reporters in Camp Crame.

Their unit recorded 29 cases of the scam from January to February 2026; only one case above the 28 incidents of the scheme recorded during the same period in 2025.

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“If we see extremely cheap or too-good-to-be-true offers… be doubtful,” Arancillo said.

“More especially, don’t give them your financial accounts or personal information,” she added.

A red flag in offers was that the purported scammer demanded full payment for the accommodation before the user visited, according to the ACG spokesperson.

She particularly noted that scammers typically set up their schemes through newly created social media accounts and use other accounts to post comments and reviews on their posts to give the appearance of legitimacy.

Further, Arancillo explained that the scammers may use photos of existing resorts or condominium units from other legitimate accounts and pass it off as their own.

She added that the scammers may face a case for swindling or estafa in relation to Republic Act No. 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act. /mr