“PNP ACG NETS 151 CHINESE NATIONALS LINKED TO TELECOM FRAUD”
The Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP ACG) conducted three (3) simultaneous operations in Ilocos Sur and Metro Manila which the resulted in the arrest of 151 Chinese and Taiwanese nationals reportedly involved in a telecommunication fraud on the morning of January 13, 2018.
By the virtue of Search Warrant issued by Honorable Judge Maria Victoria A Soriano of RTC, NCJR, Branch 24, Manila, the team of PCINSP DANNY P PILAYAN together with personnel from the PNP Special Action Force – Rapid Deployment Battalion (SAF-RDB) and Bureau of Immigration (BI) nabbed 64 Chinese nationals in Sitio Nagtupacan, Pudoc, San Vicente, Ilocos Sur while the team of PCINSP JUNE PAOLO O ABRAZADO netted 17 Chinese nationals at 1114 Verona St., Citadelle Village, Pulang Lupa Dos for alleged violation of Article 315 para 2(a) of RPC (Estafa) in relation to Section 6 of RA 10175 or the “Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012”.
Further, the team of PCINSP JOVEN P GERONG apprehended a total of 70 Chinese nationals for the same criminal offense at Deomar Hometel, Brgy. Road, Baybay Sur, San Vicente, Ilocos Sur including one (1) of the suspects who tried to escape during the operation and 43 other Chinese nationals who were hiding at the adjacent building trying to evade arrest.
Said operations caused the seizure of several pieces of digital evidence used in the commission of cybercrime including laptop computers, tablets, smartphones, basic phones, VOIP devices, router/modem, landline phones, IP cameras, digital cameras, IT peripherals, identifications cards, and assorted documentary evidence.
The recent comprehensive anti-cybercriminal operation under the supervision of PCSUPT MARNI C MARCOS JR, the Director of PNP ACG, marks another significant accomplishment not only for the Group but for the whole PNP Organization.
Nonetheless, PCSUPT MARCOS clarifies that the arrested Chinese nationals, despite having committed criminal offenses, are not the lone targets of the said operations and that the Group remains steadfast in its pursuit against hardened criminals and other organized cybercriminal groups.