Manila: The alleged hacking of the eGovPH mobile app has been declared a hoax by the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). The claims of a data breach are part of a scam aimed at deceiving users of deep web forums.

According to Philippines News Agency, CICC Executive Director Alexander Ramos addressed the situation, revealing that the individual responsible for the hacking claims is not a real hacker but a fraudster. The user, known as GR3GGM3RC3R on Breach Forums, falsely claimed to have acquired sensitive information from the eGovPH mobile app to scam forum members.

In parallel, the DICT reinforced the security integrity of the eGovPH app. David Almirol, Undersecretary for E-Government and head of eGovPH app development, assured citizens that the application is safeguarded by numerous security protocols. Almirol highlighted the app’s encryption and eGovChain security, emphasizing an additional security layer involvin
g an attached key for each data piece, which further secures user information.

Almirol further noted that any claim involving a system hack without proof of the attached key is indicative of fraudulent activity. Breach Forums, where the false hacking claim originated, is recognized as a notorious dark web platform where cybercriminals exchange stolen data and illegal digital goods.

The controversy began after Filipino cybersecurity group Deep Web Konek reported a potential breach via its blog, Kukublan Philippines, suggesting a data leak affecting approximately 200,000 users of the eGovPH mobile app.