GCash has blocked more than 3,200 online merchants connected to illicit activities and illegal gambling since the beginning of 2025, according to Manila Standard. The move comes as part of a joint initiative with the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center to prevent unauthorized operators from exploiting the country’s digital payment infrastructure.
The fintech platform said the blocked entities had attempted to misuse the QRPh payment rail, redirecting users to fraudulent GCash payment pages. GCash clarified that it does not partner with these operators and described them as independent groups seeking to route transactions through legitimate digital channels without authorization.
GCash stated that it uses proactive monitoring systems to detect suspicious activity and immediately disable connections linked to unauthorized gambling operations. Identified sites are reported to regulators and law enforcement agencies to support further enforcement action.
The company is working closely with the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center and the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group to flag and suspend actors attempting to mask QRPh codes and facilitate illegal transactions. Miguel Geronilla, chief information and security officer of G-Xchange Inc., the operator of GCash, said the company’s approach is designed to protect users and maintain trust in the country’s digital financial ecosystem.
CICC Executive Director Renato Paraiso credited the collaboration and the fintech firm’s zero tolerance policy for helping curb illegal online gaming activity. He confirmed that enhanced monitoring efforts have led to the permanent blocking of thousands of merchants tied to unlawful operations.
Authorities described the crackdown as part of a broader campaign to strengthen consumer protection and safeguard the Philippines’ rapidly expanding digital payments landscape.
QRPh is the Philippines’ national QR code standard designed to enable secure digital payments across banks and e-wallets
