CICC, DOTr launch initiative to combat travel scams

THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced its support for the “Online Bantay Lakbay” initiative launched by the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) in partnership with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Scam Watch Pilipinas.

This joint effort aims to raise public awareness and combat travel scams, particularly those conducted online.

During the launch event held on Wednesday, March 13, the top 14 travel scams were unveiled as part of the “Online Bantay Lakbay” campaign. These scams target unsuspecting travelers through deceptive practices, posing a significant threat to consumer trust and confidence in online travel transactions.

Commissioner Norman Tansingco emphasized the importance of collective action in combating cybercrime and protecting the rights and interests of travelers.

He stated, “The Bureau of Immigration fully supports the ‘Online Bantay Lakbay’ initiative, which plays a crucial role in safeguarding the public against fraudulent travel schemes. By raising awareness and promoting vigilance among travelers, we can effectively counter cybercrime and ensure a safer online environment.”

As part of its commitment to consumer protection and cybersecurity, the BI encourages travelers to exercise caution when making travel arrangements online and to verify the legitimacy of websites and service providers before providing any personal or financial information.

By remaining vigilant and reporting suspicious activities, individuals can help prevent falling victim to travel scams and contribute to the collective effort to combat cybercrime. Tansingco mentioned fake eTravel websites and other online scams. He encouraged the public to report suspicious websites and online activities to the CICC through their hotline at 1326.