I got scammed and got the money back

Problem/Goal:

TL;DR version - I used the Gcash Express Send Scam Insurance worth 30 pesos and processed the claim with evidences and got my money back.

My Advice:

Long and heavily detailed version:

I am on GLP1 medications for diabetes and PMOS, and the medicine isn't exactly affordable. I am part of a Viber Community group where people buy and sell stuff, and I have purchased several items from others members of the group, so I felt confident when someone posted my medicine for sale. The medicine costs 10,500 on sale (regular price is 13,000). Good thing I am always on the fence whenever I am sending out big amounts, so I used the Gcash Express Send Scam Insurance worth 30 pesos. IMPORTANT: I also always have a habit of taking screenshots of my transactions when sending out money digitally. That screenshot of the completed transaction is important. The seller promised that it will be shipped within the day, but my medicine never arrived.

Steps for insurance claim:

1. First thing I did was to take screenshots of ALL the conversations that happened. Then I initially reported in Gcash by clicking on Transactions, selecting the amount and clicking on Help. I chatted with Gcash help and I got a ticket number. I was told to file this claim through GInsure, also inside the Gcash App.

But before going to GInsure, I needed several documents first.

2. Report the scam incident through CICC (report@cicc.gov.ph). They will respond and ask further questions similar to an official investigation. Send the chat screenshots and the transaction screenshot of the amount that you sent. Once validated, CICC will provide you a reference number.

3. Print out ALL the chat screenshots and the transaction screenshot, print in triplicate (any size of bond paper).

4. Write an affidavit of incident (there are plenty of templates in Google). Print this in triplicate on a LEGAL size bond paper. Have this notarized together with your printed screenshots. The Notary Public will get one set of these documents (you will have two sets remaining). Notary public costs anywhere from 300 to around 1,000 pesos.

5. Go to the cybercrime branch of your local police station. In my case, I did not know where our cybercrime branch is, so I went first to the local police station who kindly pointed me the way to the nearest cybercrime branch. IMPORTANT: I was told that cybercrime offices are open 24x7. So you can go and report there at your more convenient time. Expect a line, be patient until it is your turn. Report the incident TRUTHFULLY. Present the printed notarized affidavit of incident (step 4), the printed screenshots (step 3), and the CICC reference number (step 2). You will give the second set of copy to the cybercrime officer. The officer will then document and type out the whole incident, and have you review the document before it is printed and signed by the officer. Keep this official document together with the rest of your documents (your third set of copy).

6. Take proper photos of the notarized affidavit and the printed and signed cybercrime police report. If you have a scanner, much better. Make sure the lighting is also good, and any parts of the document are not obscured or blurry.

7. Search for your bank's branch code (can be easily found in Google or by calling your bank's branch to be 100% sure). Ready your bank account number and branch name as well. IMPORTANT: The bank account must be under your name. Claims are usually not approved if the bank account is not under your name. Also, they do not credit the amount back in Gcash.

8. Now you can go to the Gcash app, click GInsure and click My GInsure. You will see there Chubb Express Send Scam Insurance, click it and you will be redirected to Chubb's website. Once you are in the website, fill in the details, it will ask for the Gcash ticket number (step 1) and also ask you the bank information (step 7) where they can send the money once your claim is approved. Be ready with all required information as the website sometimes times out when you take too long, and sometimes the back button does not work. You can only attach ONE screenshot per requirement they ask on the website. Do not worry about this, as when they sent me an email I was able to send the rest of my evidences and screenshots. Also remember to send the CICC reference number in your email response (step 2).

9. Look out for emails from Chubb insurance. Always read their attached documents thoroughly. Make sure to follow instructions and respond timely. Provide necessary information they request.

10. After a few days, I received an SMS from Chubb that my claim has been approved, and it took another 3 business days before the amount was credited to my nominated bank.

Timeline:

Scam happened - June 17 (afternoon)

Reported in CICC - June 17 (evening)

Report in Gcash - June 17 (evening)

Created Affidavit of Incident - June 18

Printed all documents - June 18

Received CICC reference number - June 19

Notary Public - June 19

Cybercrime Division Report - June 20

Chubb Insurance Claim - June 20

First response from Chubb - June 25

Reply to Chubb - June 25

Second response from Chubb - July 2

Reply to Chubb - July 2

Notice of bank crediting - July 6 (morning)

Amount credited to bank - July 6 (afternoon)

OTHER IMPORTANT NOTES:

- This only works for insured Gcash transactions. I am not sure how to claim if the transaction is bank to bank transfer because there is normally no insurance option for bank to bank transfers.

- The maximum insured amount is 15,000 pesos. Any amount exceeding that is not claimable.

- Gcash will also disable the account of the scammer once the report is validated and confirmed.

- Chubb insurance takes days because they call all parties on the documents you submitted to verify and investigate your report.

- CICC also operates 24x7 so you'll be surprised if you sometimes receive an email from them in the middle of the night.

- Make sure to also check your Spam folder in case some important email gets astray there.

That's it. I hope this will come handy to those who are also victims of online scams.