In recent years, the term "budol" has become very popular, often used to describe a lighthearted situation where someone was influenced to make an impulse buy. However, the term also has an even earlier, more negative definition. It originally meant being tricked into giving or spending money by untrustworthy individuals.

With the increasing popularity of online shopping, the rise of digital transactions has unfortunately also led to a surge in online budol scams. Scammers are using various tactics to trick people into parting with their hard-earned money. As these scams continue to evolve, it’s important to stay aware of the common types of online fraud to protect yourself from falling victim.

In this article, we’ll walk you through some of the most common online budol scams that have been making the rounds in the Philippines.

1. Fake Online Stores on Social Media and Marketplaces

One of the most pervasive online scams today involves fake online stores operating on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Scammers create pages that look like legitimate businesses, selling popular products at prices too good to be true. Fake stores have also emerged on well-known e-commerce platforms like Shopee and Lazada. These fraudulent shops often use random alphanumeric names, such as "XJH79_Store" or "HML-Karts-PH."

Once you place an order on these stores, the scammer either delivers subpar products (or nothing at all), leaving the customer empty-handed and often with no way to get their money back. So before making any purchase, check the legitimacy of the store. You can verify the page’s creation date since fraudulent shops usually have minimal activity or were created recently. Stores with no reviews or no verifiable purchase proof should also raise a red flag.

Another sign of a fake store is unusual payment methods. Legitimate online stores guarantee secure online credit card transactions among their payment methods. If a store asks you to pay via untraceable methods like wire transfers or unknown third-party payment apps with no buyer protection, avoid proceeding. These payment methods make it difficult to recover your money if the transaction turns out to be fraudulent.

2. Phishing Scams via Email

Phishing emails are also a common tactic used by scammers to steal sensitive information like your bank details, login credentials, or credit card numbers. These emails often appear to be from trusted organizations like your bank, government agencies, or well-known online services. They frequently carry alarming subject lines like “Account Suspended” or “Action Required: Verify Your Information,” prompting the recipient to open the message and click on a link.

The link typically leads to a fake website that closely resembles a legitimate one, where the victim is asked to input personal information. Scammers then use this information for identity theft or unauthorized transactions. The problem is that these emails are designed to look so convincing that even the most cautious individuals might get caught off guard.

To avoid falling for this type of budol scam, carefully inspect the sender’s email address. Often, phishing emails will use a slightly altered or misspelled domain name. It’s also wise to avoid clicking on links within an email from an unfamiliar sender. Instead, manually type the website's address in your browser.

If you suspect your credit card has been compromised and you see any unauthorized activity, report it immediately to your credit card issuer. Alternatively, cancel your card to prevent further transactions. Most secure credit cards offer this feature, and the Landers Cashback Everywhere Credit Card—one of the safest credit card s in the Philippines—lets you cancel and replace your card through these simple steps:

Go to the Maya app and click on “Cards.” Then, select your credit card.
Tap the gear icon to open your card settings.
Select “Card security,” then “Replace this card.”
Select a reason and select “Confirm” when prompted.
Once your card is canceled, you can tap “Order a New Card” to get a replacement.

Keep in mind that card replacement fees may apply.

3. Too-Good-to-Be-True Jobs or Investments

Online scams often lure victims through too-good-to-be-true employment and investment opportunities. Scammers may contact you via instant messaging apps like Viber, Messenger, or WhatsApp and offer jobs that guarantee quick ways to earn money.

For example, an unfamiliar number may contact you and claim to be a recruitment officer for a company and offer you a position where you can earn "PHP 10,000 a week" just by working from home, with minimal experience required. The catch? You’re asked to pay for "training materials," upfront fees, or other "expenses" in exchange for a job opportunity that never materializes. In some cases, scammers may promise high returns on investments in areas like cryptocurrency or forex trading. These scams typically use a sense of urgency to convince you to send money, offering “guaranteed returns” or exclusive opportunities. Once you send the payment for training materials or investment, you never hear from the scammers again.

That said, be extremely cautious with any job offers or investment opportunities from unfamiliar entities. Legitimate job opportunities do not require you to pay for training or materials before being hired. Similarly, be highly skeptical of any opportunity that promises “guaranteed returns.” If something sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

Instead, research the company and check reviews from other people who have worked with them. Also, verify whether the investment platform is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. If you’re unsure, seek advice from a licensed financial advisor before making any investments.

4. Compromised or Fake Social Media Accounts of Friends or Family

Another deceptive online scam involves hacked or fake social media accounts of friends or family. Scammers gain access to someone’s account or create a fraudulent one—and then they impersonate the person, often reaching out to you for a quick loan or to send money for an “emergency.” The scammer may build rapport by pretending to be in distress and later asking for larger sums of money. Since the scammer is posing as a trusted acquaintance, it’s easy to let your guard down and fall for the scam.

If someone close to you messages you asking for money, always verify by calling or texting them. Moreover, be cautious about sending money to people you haven't physically met or those making unusual requests for money.

5. Fraudulent Celebrity Endorsements and Deepfake Influencers

With the rise of deepfake technology, scammers are now able to create videos that make it seem like a well-known celebrity or influencer is endorsing a product, investment, or service. These deepfake videos can be incredibly convincing, showing famous personalities talking about a product or investment opportunity, leading unsuspecting viewers to believe that the endorsement is genuine.

If you see a celebrity supposedly endorsing a product, check their official social media accounts for confirmation. This way, you can verify the authenticity of the endorsement. Keep in mind that deepfake technology often creates odd facial movements or robotic voices, so be skeptical of videos that look unnatural.

Online budol scams continue to evolve, becoming more sophisticated and harder to detect. So, it’s important to stay alert and be skeptical of what you see online. Make sure to research, verify, and think critically before sharing personal or financial information online. Remember: trust but verify, and stay safe online!