The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) has launched an investigation into a potential organized cyberattack targeting GCash accounts, which led to unauthorized fund transfers over the weekend.
CICC executive director Alexander K. Ramos confirmed that the agency’s focus shifted from a possible system glitch to an organized breach after it looked into the case of actress and comedian Pokwang (Marietta Tan Subong). In a post on her Instagram account, the 52-year-old actress claimed that her GCash account was compromised, resulting in the loss of ₱85,000, with unauthorized funds being transferred to other accounts.
Ramos challenged Pokwang to cooperate with the CICC and help clarify the situation for the public. “She has to confirm and identify whose numbers are those that received the cash. Does she know them or not? It confuses the general public as to the truth of the fact that happened to her GCash account,” Ramos said.
The CICC investigation comes amid growing concern over security breaches in digital payment systems, with the Inter-Agency Response Center (IARC) receiving 21 complaints related to the unauthorized transfers over the weekend.
Ramos called on other victims of the potential organized breach, including Pokwang, to come forward and provide more details. “That’s why we are encouraging victims to come forward to explain what really happened to their accounts,” he added.
For those affected, the IARC hotline, 1326, remains available toll-free, operating 24/7, including on holidays.
