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The Philippines, due to its easy access to technology and robust financial transaction facilities, is considered one of the most susceptible countries in ASEAN to online exploitation, as per a study by the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF). This was discussed at the recent Advanced Investigation Workshop 2024, an event organized by the International Justice Mission (IJM) to address the pressing issue of Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC).

#GCash was invited to the workshop to share its effective strategies against OSAEC. This is part of GCash’s ongoing commitment to combat cybercrimes and foster a secure digital environment.

Ingrid Beroña, GCash’s Chief Risk Officer, highlighted the importance of inter-agency collaborations in combating exploitation of women and children to the international law enforcement participants.

“Last year, we received over 100 potential OSAEC transactions from our partner remittance center and the Anti-Money Laundering Council. We monitor these cases and if they appear suspicious, the relevant accounts are blacklisted and reported back for further investigation. Besides reports from our partners, our system also alerts us of suspicious transactions potentially linked to online child sexual abuse,” Beroña explained.

 

The 10-day workshop brought together representatives from various law enforcement agencies, including the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the Philippine National Police Women and Children Protection Center (PNP-WCPC), Anti Money Laundering Council (AMLC), the Australian Federal Police (AFP), the Netherlands Police, and the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA).

GCash, the country’s largest cashless ecosystem, continues to collaborate closely with leading law enforcement authorities, such as the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), to fight cybercrime and ensure user safety.

“As we strive for financial inclusion, we believe in assisting the marginalized so that we can truly be an organization that serves all. Beyond just scams and fraud, GCash recognizes its social responsibility to utilize its resources to combat other crimes against individuals, particularly vulnerable women and children,” Beroña concluded.

For more information, please visit the GCash website.

FAQs

1. What is GCash? GCash is the premier finance app in the Philippines.

2. What was the Advanced Investigation Workshop 2024? The Advanced Investigation Workshop 2024 was an event organized by the International Justice Mission (IJM) to address the issue of Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC).

3. What is GCash’s role in combating online exploitation? GCash shares its effective strategies against OSAEC as part of its ongoing commitment to combat cybercrimes and foster a secure digital environment.

4. Who are GCash’s law enforcement partners? GCash collaborates closely with leading law enforcement authorities, such as the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), to fight cybercrime and ensure user safety.

5. How does GCash handle potential OSAEC transactions? GCash monitors potential OSAEC transactions. If they appear suspicious, the relevant accounts are blacklisted and reported back for further investigation.