Eight Chinese nationals were arrested in Parañaque City by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation-National Capital Region (NBI-NCR) for allegedly engaging in online phishing operations.

In a statement Wednesday, the NBI-NCR said that the arrests followed an intelligence report that a group of foreign nationals were involved in various online scams, including investment fraud, cryptocurrency scams, romance scams and identity theft through social engineering and digital communication schemes.

NBI-NCR agents, along with an informant, conducted surveillance operations in the area where the illegal activities were suspected to be taking place.

On 14 January 2025, the Regional Trial Court of Parañaque City issued a warrant to search, seize and examine computer data (WSSECD) against Hwang Xiaobin and other suspects and on 17 January 2025, NBI-NCR operatives — accompanied by representatives from the NBI Digital Forensic Laboratory (DFL) — executed the WSSECD.

During the search, authorities seized laptops and desktops.

An on-site examination by DFL personnel uncovered evidence of phishing and social engineering schemes, including templates used to obtain sensitive personal information from victims.

Furthermore, the examination revealed evidence of financial transactions related to cryptocurrency scams.

Charges of violating Republic Act 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012), specifically Section 4(b)(1) on computer-related forgery, and Republic Act 12010 (Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act of 2019) were filed against the suspects before the Parañaque City Prosecutor’s Office.

NBI officials identified the suspects that were charged as Hwang Xiaobin (at large), Xiao Li, Chuan Zi Gao, Ming Ru Li, Wen Shu Liu, Qui Shun Li, Cai Li Pan, Changfu Liu and Zhang Zhen Hong.

NBI director Jaime Santiago commended the NBI-NCR for the successful operation and assured the public that the agency would continue its efforts to combat online scams.