26/05/2026
NBI EXPLAINS
Understanding the AFASA Law
(Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act)
PASAY CITY, Philippines β Sa paglaganap ng online banking, digital wallets, at electronic money transfers, mas naging moderno at mas sopistikado rin ang mga pinansyal na scam at panloloko. Upang higit na mapalakas ang proteksyon ng publiko laban sa mga cyber-enabled financial fraud, ipinasa ng Pilipinas ang Republic Act No. 12010 o mas kilala bilang Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act (AFASA).
In simple terms, AFASA is a law designed to protect the public from scams involving bank accounts, e-wallets, online banking, and other financial accounts used in fraudulent activities.
What does AFASA punish?
AFASA penalizes individuals who use financial accounts to commit scams, fraud, or illegal transactions. These include:
1. Using another personβs bank or e-wallet account for fraudulent activities;
2. Selling or allowing others to use your account for scams;
3. Opening βdummy accountsβ or βmule accountsβ for criminal syndicates;
4. Phishing, social engineering, or tricking victims into giving OTPs or passwords;
5. Using stolen identities to create financial accounts;
6. Possessing or using devices or software intended for financial fraud.
Ano ang βmoney muleβ?
Isa sa mga karaniwang modus na ginagamit ngayon ng mga scammer ay ang paggamit ng tinatawag na βmoney mule.β
Ang βmoney muleβ ay isang tao na nagpapagamit ng kaniyang bank account, e-wallet, ATM account, o iba pang digital account upang tumanggap at maglipat ng perang nagmumula sa ilegal na gawain o panloloko.
Some people are deceived into becoming money mules by offers of easy money or online jobs. Others knowingly allow their accounts to be used in exchange for commissions.
Under AFASA, even allowing your account to be used for fraudulent transactions may result in criminal liability.
Common scams covered by AFASA:
1' Online banking fraud;
2. Fake investment scams;
3. OTP scams;
4. Phishing links;
5. Fake online selling;
6. E-wallet fraud;
7. Account takeovers;
8. Online lending harassment involving illegal fund transfers;
9. Social engineering scams.
Important reminder to the public:
Never give your:
1. OTP;
2. PIN;
3. Password;
4. Online banking credentials; and
5. E-wallet verification codes to anyone.
Ang mga bangko, e-wallet companies, at mga lehitimong institusyon ay hindi kailanman nanghihingi ng mga sensitibong inpormasyon through text messages, phone calls, or social media chats.
Pinapaalalahanan ng NBI ang publiko na huwag kailanman ibenta, ipahiram, o ipagamit sa iba ang kanilang bank account o e-wallet account. Ang maaaring magmukhang simpleng pabor o madaling pagkakakitaan ay maaaring magresulta sa pananagutang kriminal at pagsasampa ng kaso laban sa inyo sa ilalim ng AFASA law.
The NBI continues to strengthen its cybercrime, anti-fraud, and digital forensic capabilities in addressing emerging financial and cyber-enabled crimes in the country.
