Over Half of Filipinos Scammed: GSMA Unveils New Solutions for Digital Trust

The rising tide of online scams is causing widespread concern among Filipinos, bringing the nation’s digital trust into question. According to a new report published by the GSMA at the Digital Nation Summit Manila, over half (52%) of Filipinos have fallen victim to scams at least once in their lifetime. This startling figure is seven percentage points higher than the ASEAN regional average, underscoring the urgency of addressing digital fraud in the Philippines. With a growing digital economy heavily reliant on trust, these findings highlight the critical need for coordinated industry-level responses to secure user confidence.

GSMA Study Highlights Escalating Scam Incidents

The GSMA’s ASEAN Consumer Scam study sheds light on the alarming extent of online fraud in the country. In the past year alone, reported scam exposure in the Philippines rose by 6%, equaling Thailand for the highest regional increase. Moreover, 68% of victims reported monetary losses, with 11% of these categorized as significant. Beyond financial damage, the psychological toll has been immense. Nearly half of the respondents (45%) cited emotional distress, while 28% reported dedicating significant time to resolving scam-related issues. Alarmingly, 96% of Filipinos expressed concerns about scams and hacking, with 58% identifying as “very concerned,” marking a seven-point increase from last year.

Social media platforms have emerged as the leading channel for fraudsters to target victims, surpassing other methods such as text messages, OTT messaging apps, and voice calls. In response, the GSMA has urged stakeholders in banking, telecoms, e-commerce, and government to collaborate on a unified, data-driven defense strategy to tackle these digital threats.

Combating Fraud with the GSMA Foundry Project Initiative

In a bid to curb the rising prevalence of scams, the GSMA has rolled out an innovative pilot project under the Combating Scams Foundry initiative. Announced at the Digital Nation Summit Manila, this pilot will facilitate collaboration between mobile operators, technology companies, and financial institutions. Utilizing anonymized, regulator-approved datasets—such as customer-reported fraud numbers and abnormal traffic patterns—the initiative aims to enhance scam-risk scoring for digital platforms through telecom intelligence. A proof-of-concept for the Foundry Project is scheduled for early 2026, signaling hope for stronger fraud prevention mechanisms in the near future.

Julian Gorman, Head of Asia-Pacific at GSMA, emphasized, “The Philippine’s digital economy depends on trust. Our latest evidence shows that trust is being eroded faster than it is being rebuilt. Industry and government must move from isolated initiatives to fully coordinated, data-driven defense if we are to protect consumers and sustain the country’s digital-growth story.”

GSMA Open Gateway Initiative: Strengthening Fraud Detection

On the commercial front, the GSMA’s Open Gateway initiative has introduced cutting-edge anti-fraud services. All three national operators in the Philippines—PLDT/Smart, Globe, and DITO—have launched solutions designed to silently verify subscriber identity and detect SIM-swap fraud attempts in real-time. These timely innovations demonstrate the country’s commitment to safeguarding consumers and maintaining the integrity of its digital ecosystem.

As the GSMA calls for heightened cross-sector collaboration to combat scams, it is clear that industry-led initiatives and government policies must align to protect consumers. With the right infrastructure and partnerships in place, the Philippines can rebuild digital trust and maintain the upward trajectory of its technology-driven growth.