Manila, Feb. 1 -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Sunday reminded the public to be vigilant against the growing threat of cryptocurrency and other online investment scams as these continue to victimize many citizens.

This, after the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) reported a total of 311 investment scam cases from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2025, 12 of which involved cryptocurrency schemes.

These scams usually begin by offering "high returns" to lure victims into investing and even encouraging them to recruit others.

At first, withdrawals may be allowed to gain trust, but eventually, access to earnings and accounts is suddenly blocked, causing invested money to be lost permanently, PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a st...