The Philippine National Police (PNP) will bolster coordination with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to target fraudulent QR codes on online selling platforms, police officials announced Friday.

PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the crackdown aligns with directives from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla to intensify operations against cyber-enabled crimes and online fraud.

Nartatez said that police will utilize technical mechanisms and investigative tools to trace groups and individuals replacing legitimate merchant payment codes with malicious alternatives designed to divert funds into scam accounts.

“Bad elements are using technology to scam people, and we cannot allow this to happen,” Nartatez said. “The PNP will strengthen its partnership with the DICT and the DTI in going after groups and individuals involved in fake QR codes.”

Authorities warned the public against QR code phishing, commonly referred to as “quishing.” The scheme uses malicious codes that redirect scan recipients to deceptive websites designed to harvest personal information, passwords, and banking credentials.

Nartatez noted that while QR codes are intended to simplify digital payment transactions for consumers and merchants, cybercriminals are exploiting the technology for illegal financial gain.

Police advised the public to verify the legitimacy of payment codes before scanning, making transactions, or submitting personal information. Nartatez urged individuals to report suspicious codes or attempted fraud directly to law enforcement authorities.