I was just scammed online — what do I do in the first hour?
Last updated: 2026-07-11 · Educational content; not legal advice.
Short answer
Act fast, because recovery odds fall the longer money sits with the scammer. First, stop sending anything more and cut off contact. Second, if you paid through a bank, GCash, Maya, or a card, call that provider's fraud/dispute hotline immediately and ask them to flag or freeze the transaction — early reports have the best chance of catching funds before they are withdrawn. Third, preserve all evidence: screenshots of the chat, the seller/profile, the reference and account numbers, receipts, and the amount and time. Fourth, report to the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group or the NBI Cybercrime Division. No one can guarantee your money back, but speed, a paper trail, and a formal report are what give you the best chance and the legal basis to pursue it. Online deceit for money is generally estafa under Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code, with a penalty one degree higher when done through ICT under RA 10175.
Primary sources
Frequently asked
What is the single most important thing to do first?
Stop the money and contact whoever holds it. If you paid via bank, GCash, Maya, or card, call that provider's fraud/dispute channel at once and ask them to flag or hold the transfer. The faster you report, the better the (never guaranteed) chance the funds are still recoverable.
Should I confront the scammer to get my money back?
No. Do not send more money and do not tip them off that you are reporting — that only prompts them to move funds or delete accounts. Cut contact, screenshot everything first, then report to your provider and to law enforcement.
Is being scammed online a real crime I can report?
Yes. Deceiving someone into parting with money is generally estafa under Art. 315 of the Revised Penal Code, and RA 10175 §6 makes the penalty one degree higher when it is done online. That is the legal basis for a complaint to the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group or NBI Cybercrime Division.
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What to do after an online scam — the first-hour playbook, where to report (PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group, NBI, DOJ Office of Cybercrime), how to spot and report investment/Ponzi scams to the SEC, phishing and OTP theft, online-shopping fraud (undelivered, fake, or misrepresented goods), romance and job scams, and the legal basis under estafa (Revised Penal Code Art. 315), RA 8484, RA 10175, RA 8792, RA 7394, and RA 8799.