The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Wednesday reported that it is currently intensifying investigations on the arrest of four individuals allegedly involved in a money laundering scheme recently.

NBI deputy director and spokesperson Ferdinand Lavin said that the individuals — three of them Chinese nationals and one Filipina who were nabbed in a posh village in Muntinlupa City — were also involved catfishing and investment fraud.

Lavin stressed that the NBI is conducting a follow-up operation to determine the connections inside the village of the arrested suspects.

To recall, the four were arrested in a raid by the NBI on 20 February 2025, around 9:50 p.m. in the said village, which Lavin asked not to mention the exact location of the place raided due to security concerns of the villagers.

“We will conduct further investigation on the matter to determine the possible connections of others as to why they were able to stay in the said area,” Lavin said.

The operation lasted up to 1:30 a.m. targeting individuals allegedly involved in money laundering, catfishing and investment fraud.

Operatives from the NBI seized several mobile phones, prepaid SIM cards stored in plastic bags, various access cards under different identities and bank and credit cards suspected to be linked to fraudulent transactions.

Also, the agents seized government-issued IDs believed to be falsified or illegally obtained. Probers also discovered small electronic devices and USB drives, suspected to be containing transaction records, along with an Armscor shotgun.

Lavin said the four arrested individuals are currently under the custody of the NBI and they were subjected to inquest for financial fraud and cybercrime laws, adding that they are going to uncover who are those behind the operation of the suspects in due time.