MANILA – The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is pushing for changes to the cybercrime law to better address the evolving tactics of scammers.
In a press briefing at Malacañang on Tuesday, DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy acknowledged that scam text messages have resurfaced despite the implementation of the SIM Card Registration law.
He noted that while the registration had helped deter scammers, these criminals have adapted, using new techniques and equipment.
“So, ngayon, dahil marami tayong na-raid at dismantle na mga malalaking operations na ganoon, naging guerilla warfare ngayon (Since we have raided and dismantled a lot of big operations, it has become guerilla warfare now),” Uy said.
“They have reduced them into smaller teams, very mobile, they moved around and so, we have to respond accordingly and also change our tactics in going after them.”
One such tactic is “drive-by hacking,” in which scammers park their vehicles in the community and hack into the mobile networks of their victims.
“Marami na tayong nahuling ganoon (We have caught many using that method). Most of this equipment are actually smuggled in because they are illegal,” he said.
To combat these evolving threats, the DICT is strengthening its on-the-ground operations while working with Congress to update the cybercrime law.
“What we are actually working on with Congress is to amend the cybercrime law in order to have a more encompassing approach like in other countries, what they have legislated is a law against online harm,” Uy said.
“So, kung ma-address ninyo iyong (if you address) online harm, that covers a lot. Whether it’s cybercrime, it’s scamming, it’s hacking… so long as you conduct activities that will cause harm to others online, then it is covered by that law.” (PNA)