Maya, the No. 1 Digital Bank in the Philippines, and JuanHand, the leading online cash loan app, have partnered with government agencies to launch Protecta Fintech, a new initiative to fight cybercrime and protect consumers.
Protecta Fintech brings together the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of Justice (DOJ), Securities and Exchange Commission, Philippine National Police, and private-sector leaders like Maya and JuanHand. It tackles the growing wave of digital fraud as more Filipinos turn to online banking and payments.
“We are proud to introduce PROTECTA FINTECH as a collaborative effort to tackle cybercrime challenges in the fintech industry,” said Francisco Roberto “Coco” D.C. Mauricio, Lead Advocate of PROTECTA FINTECH and President and CEO of JuanHand. “By working with both government and private sectors, we are setting the stage for a more secure digital financial ecosystem that supports fairness, innovation, and empowerment for all Filipinos.”
Protecta Fintech will build a stronger financial system by ensuring businesses comply with regulations, fostering collaboration, and keeping the public informed about new technologies and cyber risks. It also focuses on educating consumers and upgrading tools to fight phishing, vishing, and other cybercrimes.
For Maya and JuanHand, this partnership aligns with its mission to give Filipinos safe, trusted, and secure digital financial services. “By working together and teaching consumers how to spot scams, we’re building trust in digital banking,” Kristoffer Rada, Maya’s Head of Government Relations and Regulatory Affairs. “Every Filipino should feel confident using digital tools to manage their money.”
Cybercriminals are finding new ways to trick consumers. Tools like IMSI catchers let scammers impersonate trusted brands and send fake messages that look like real OTP notifications. “Never click on links in text messages, even if they seem real,” added Rada. “Banks and telcos, including Maya, have blocked messages with links. If you see one, it’s a scam.”
