The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Gogolook, a Taiwan-based company that develops anti-fraud solutions, to enhance the protection of Filipinos from online scams.
The MOU was signed by CICC Executive Director Alexander K. Ramos and Gogolook COO Manwoo Joo on September 18, 2023, at the National Cybercrime Hub in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City. Retired Justice Andres Reyes Jr., CICC Highly Technical Consultant and Philippine Representative of Gogolook Mel Migrino were also present during the signing ceremony.
According to Ramos, the MOU shows the CICC’s determination to combat scams and the individuals behind them. He said that the collaboration with Gogolook will help build a stronger anti-fraud network in the Philippines, which already includes various police and government agencies from other countries.
“This MOU with Gogolook is a major step forward in our efforts to protect Filipinos from scam. I’m happy to welcome Gogolook and their product Whoscall to the Philippines, increasing the protection of cybersecurity for the Filipinos,” Ramos said.
“This collaboration with Whoscall underlines that fighting fraud is not a singular endeavor, but a cohesive effort. We are truly glad to have Gogolook by our side in this pivotal journey,” he added.
Whoscall is a mobile app developed by Gogolook that can identify, block, and report scam calls and texts. It has a database of 2.6 billion numbers from around the world, which can help users avoid unwanted or suspicious calls. Whoscall also allows users to share their feedback on scam numbers and contribute to the anti-fraud community.
Whoscall officially launched in the Philippines last August 22, 2023, and has shown notable growth since then. It has garnered significant traction and positive feedback from users, making it a reliable scam detection app in the country that is free to use.
Joo said that he was excited to partner with the CICC to combat scams in the Philippines. He said that Whoscall aims to provide a safer and more convenient communication environment for Filipinos, especially in the age of digital transformation.
“This collaboration is a momentous occasion that shows a joint front against scammers to help stay ahead of the evolving methods of scammers and fraudsters worldwide. With help from CICC, we can build a stronger anti-fraud network which already includes various police and government agencies from Thailand, Taiwan, Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea,” he said.
Gogolook is a Taiwan-based brand that boasts a service scope covering more than 30 countries, including South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Brazil, and Malaysia. It has over 80 million downloads worldwide and has won several awards for its innovation and social impact.
The CICC, on the other hand, is an inter-agency body created by the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. It is composed of representatives from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of National Defense (DND), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Philippine National Police (PNP), and Office of Cybercrime under the DOJ.
The agency is mandated to formulate and implement a national cybersecurity plan, coordinate cybercrime-related efforts among government agencies, establish a national cybercrime laboratory, facilitate international cooperation on cybercrime matters, and monitor cybercrime cases in the country.
Image credit: CICC
