Rep. Romero calls for an investigation into online shopping fraud

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MANILA, Philippines – A party-list lawmaker pushed for an investigation after the 2023 Asia Fraud Report found that the Philippines had the highest rate of online shopping fraud among 11 Asian countries including Taiwan, Thailand, Japan , South Korea, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam, China and Indonesia.

Rep. 1-PACMAN House Resolution 1727 Michael Romero asks the House Committee on Trade and Industry to investigate the spread of online shopping fraud in the country, citing state policies aimed at protecting consumer interests.

READ: Consumer group calls for stricter measures to combat online fraud

He said that in 2023, a total of 19,844 cyber crimes were recorded, with 11,071 cases, accounting for 55.67% of online frauds.

“Complaints have been received from online consumers of expensive products and gadgets who instead received boxes containing wet wipes, rocks or toilet paper,” Romero noted. “Many other complaints filed by consumers against e-commerce platforms have proliferated over fraudulent, unfair and unconscionable online sales and practices,” he added. —Jeannette I. Andrade