Gatchalian seeks probe on loan and sale of mobile wallet accounts

Wanting to protect consumers from the unscrupulous activities of cybercriminals, Senator Win Gatchalian filed a resolution seeking an investigation into the reported loan and sale of mobile wallet accounts.

"While the use of mobile or e-wallets has provided tremendous benefits to many people such as ease of doing online transactions especially during the pandemic, we need to make sure that consumers are amply protected from harmful elements seeking dishonest gains through this channel," Gatchalian said.

He emphasized that relevant government agencies should come up with an effective intervention to stop the practice of lending or selling SIM cards with verified mobile or e-wallet accounts.

The lawmaker pointed out that the users of mobile wallets or e-wallets in the country have increased through the years. In 2017, there were approximately nine million registered e-wallet accounts. In 2020, the usage of e-wallet in the country was three times higher than that in 2017. It is projected that by 2025, the number of e-wallet users will rise to 7.7 million. Two of the leading e-wallets in the country are PayMaya and GCash.

Gatchalian said that online scammers usually use e-wallet accounts that are not registered under their names. They are able to do this by using or buying SIM cards in the black market that are registered with e-wallets under people who sell or lend their identities.

In fact, the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group has reported that fraudsters use such accounts in criminal activities such as money laundering and identity theft, according to Gatchalian.

Also, fraudulently acquired mobile wallets may also serve as channels for money mules, those who transfer or move illegally acquired money on someone else's behalf, including those who are unaware of larger criminal schemes, Gatchalian said. He added that criminals often target students, the unemployed, and those on dating websites by lending or selling their mobile accounts.

Further, in a recent hearing conducted by the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, it was revealed that digital wallets were used to execute bets relating to online or e-sabong, raising concerns that online payment platforms including mobile wallets facilitate gambling activities.

Imbestigahan ang pagpapahiram at pagbebenta ng mobile wallet accounts -- Gatchalian

Sa pagnanais na protektahan ang mga konsyumer mula sa cybercriminals, naghain si Senador Win Gatchalian ng resolusyon upang imbestigahan ang pagpapahiram at pagbebenta ng mga mobile wallet accounts.

"Nakita na natin na ang paggamit ng mga mobile o e-wallet ay nagbibigay ng napakalaking benepisyo lalo na noong kasagsagan ng pandemya para sa mga online transaction, kaya kailangan nating tiyakin na protektado ang ating mga consumers mula sa mga masasamang loob na may hangad na manloko sa pamamagitan ng mga mobile wallets," sabi ni Gatchalian.

Binigyang-diin niya na dapat magkaroon ng epektibong interbensyon ang mga ahensya ng gobyerno upang matigil ang pagsasagawa ng pagpapahiram o pagbebenta ng mga SIM card na merong beripikadong mobile o e-wallet account.

Ayon sa mambabatas, dumami ang mga gumagamit ng mobile o e-wallets sa bansa. Mayroong humigit kumulang siyam na milyong registered e-wallet accounts noong 2017 at naging triple pa ang bilang na ito pagdating noong 2020. Inaasahan ding aabot sa 7.7 milyon ang bilang ng e-wallet users pagdating ng 2025. Dalawa sa kilalang e-wallets sa bansa ay PayMaya at GCash.

Ayon kay Gatchalian, ang mga online scammers ay karaniwang gumagamit ng mga e-wallet account na hindi nakarehistro sa ilalim ng kanilang mga pangalan. Nagagawa nila ito sa pamamagitan ng paggamit o pagbili ng mga SIM card sa black market na meron nang mobile wallet accounts mula sa mga taong nagbebenta o nagpapahiram ng kanilang mga pagkakakilanlan.

Sa katunayan, iniulat ng PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group na ginagamit ng mga kawatan ang mga naturang mobile wallet accounts sa mga gawaing kriminal tulad ng money laundering at identity theft.

Ang ganitong mga mobile wallet accounts ay maaari ding magsilbing daan para sa mga money mule o mga taong naglilipat ng mga pera galing sa mga iligal na gawain, ayon kay Gatchalian. Aniya, madalas matarget ng mga kriminal ang mga mag-aaral, ang mga walang trabaho o walang masyadong ginagawa, at ang mga gumagamit ng dating websites para makakuha ng mga taong gustong magpahiram o magbenta ng kanilang mga mobile accounts.

Matatandaan na sa isang pagdinig na isinagawa ng Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs kamakailan, nadiskubre na ang mga digital wallet ay ginagamit din sa e-sabong.