The Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) issued a public warning Wednesday against “quishing,” or QR code phishing, a scam that uses fraudulent quick response codes to steal banking and personal data.

During a news conference at Camp Crame, ACG chief Maj. Gen. Wilson Asueta urged users to verify that QR codes originate from legitimate sources before scanning them, noting that cybercriminals are adapting to evolving technology.

“Not everything posted in stores was placed by the authorized owner of the QR code,” Asueta said.

“Let us always be careful and stick to legitimate and authorized QR codes. Many codes direct you to access sites that ask for money or collect your personal information,” he added.

Asueta said the unit has received reports of individuals being lured to fraudulent websites that collect sensitive financial and personal details after scanning manipulated QR codes.

To combat the trend, the PNP-ACG is partnering with the Department of Trade and Industry to monitor online sellers and apply for cyber warrants against perpetrators.

Separately, Asueta reported an 18 percent drop in overall online scam cases during the first six months of 2026, attributing the decline to increased public awareness and media education campaigns.

PNP-ACG data recorded 4,509 online scam incidents from 1 January to 30 June, down from 5,526 cases logged during the same period in 2025. Asueta credited private and public partners, including financial institutions, for actively promoting cyber hygiene.