There is a high-tech "ghost" in the machine that many Filipinos don’t even know exists. Scammers have swapped traditional phishing links for "fake cell sites"—compact, portable base stations hidden inside backpacks that mimic legitimate signals. As these bad actors walk through crowded malls or neighborhoods, they hijack the aging 2G network to intercept nearby mobile traffic, flooding phones with deceptive messages about "prizes" or urgent bank updates. It is a silent, invisible invasion of privacy designed to drain e-wallets and bank accounts before the victim even realizes they’ve left a secure network.

PLDT is currently locked in a sophisticated game of digital cat-and-mouse to stop these criminals. Using a "triangulation" method, the telco giant is working with tech vendors to monitor their network centers for unauthorized signals. When a fake station is detected, the system flags the specific area, allowing PLDT to alert authorities in real-time. While the technology can pinpoint where the crime is unfolding, the portability of these devices makes them difficult to catch in the act, requiring a level of surveillance and intelligence that feels more like a spy thriller than standard IT maintenance.

The obvious question is: why not just turn off the vulnerable 2G signal? According to PLDT’s Butch Jimenez, the answer is complicated by the very infrastructure that keeps society running. Many of the country’s ATMs and emergency disaster response systems still rely on 2G to function. Shutting it down today would mean cutting off access to cash and critical safety lines. However, the clock is ticking; PLDT is aggressively helping banks and agencies migrate to more secure 4G platforms, with the hopeful goal of finally pulling the plug on 2G—and the scammers who exploit it—by the end of the year.

Scammers use portable devices to mimic official signals. Use this guide to spot the signs and protect your data.

• Monitor Your Signal Strength: If your phone suddenly drops from 5G or 4G/LTE to a 2G or "E" (Edge) connection while you are in a crowded area like a mall, be extra cautious. Fake base stations often force phones onto these older, less secure networks.

• Verify the Sender: Scammers can "spoof" names to make a text look like it's from your bank or a government agency. If the message asks for sensitive info, never click the link. Close the message and check your official banking app instead.

• Look for Unusual Content: Be wary of messages claiming you’ve won a prize you didn't enter for, or "urgent" alerts saying your account is blocked. Legitimate companies will rarely ask for your full bank details or e-wallet PIN via SMS.

• Report the Location: If you receive a suspicious "phishing" text in a specific public place, report it to your service provider. This helps companies like PLDT use triangulation to find and shut down the fake site in that area.

• Update Your Device: Ensure your phone’s software is up to date. Modern operating systems are better at detecting and alerting you when a connection is unencrypted or suspicious.

Pro-Tip: If you suspect you are in range of a fake cell site, toggling "Airplane Mode" on and off can sometimes force your phone to reconnect to a legitimate, secure 4G or 5G tower.