GCash has deactivated more than 3,200 merchants after identifying their involvement in scams and illegal online gambling activities. The move aims to strengthen user protection and prevent fraudulent operators from misusing the platform’s payment services.
Crackdown on Fraudulent Merchant Activity
According to GCash, the affected merchants lost access to the platform after internal monitoring systems detected suspicious activities. The company worked closely with the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) over the past year to identify and suspend these operations.
Many of the blocked merchants had exploited the QRPh payment rail by directing users to fake payment pages that mimicked legitimate GCash transactions. These tactics encouraged customers to transfer funds to unauthorized accounts controlled by scammers.
Common Scam Tactics
GCash identified several methods frequently used by illegal operators:
- QR masking – QR codes that appear to belong to legitimate merchants but redirect payments to fraudulent accounts.
- Fake payment pages – websites designed to imitate official GCash or merchant interfaces.
- Deceptive merchant listings – accounts posing as verified businesses to trick users into sending money.
GCash emphasized that it has no formal partnerships with these merchants and described them as independent entities attempting to exploit digital payment infrastructure.
Cooperation with Law Enforcement
The company stated that suspicious merchants on the GCash app and QRPh network are quickly detected and suspended. Authorities, including the Anti-Money Laundering Council, receive reports on flagged transactions and merchant accounts.
Miguel Geronilla, Chief Information Security Officer at GCash, said disabling unauthorized accounts helps protect Filipino users while strengthening confidence in the country’s digital financial ecosystem.
User Safety Measures
GCash also urged users to follow several security practices:
- Never share MPIN or OTP with anyone.
- Verify merchant names and transaction details before confirming payments.
- Avoid sending money to personal wallets for purchases.
- Be cautious with QR payment links sent via messages, emails, or social media.
Through stricter monitoring and cooperation with regulators, GCash aims to limit the ability of scammers and illegal gambling operators to exploit its payment platform.
