Bank account seller behind bars

Authorities on Monday disclosed that a 24-year-old man was arrested in an entrapment operation for allegedly selling his bank account online for P2,500. The Quezon City District Anti-Cybercrime Team (QCDACT) apprehended the suspect in front of a bank in Barangay Bago Bantay following a cyber-patrolling operation.

According to QCDACT chief PLt. Col. Cristopher Ubac, cyberpatrollers flagged the suspect’s social media post offering the account for sale and after confirming the offer, authorities arranged a meet-up and conducted a sting operation.

“We monitor through what we call cyberpatrolling. If there’s patrolling on the streets, we also do it in cyberspace. These activities are open, they publicize them for sale,” Ubac said.

During the operation, the suspect allegedly handed over the ATM card to an undercover operative and was immediately arrested after receiving the marked money. The ATM card and the marked “boodle” money were confiscated.

Ubac cited that individuals often sell old or unused payroll accounts, which can be used for illegal activities.

“These are their accounts that are not being used. Sometimes our countrymen who used to work somewhere have payroll accounts. When they move to another company, their payroll accounts remain active,” said Ubac.

Authorities warned that these bank accounts are frequently exploited for illegal transactions, such as scamming.

“Yes, definitely. Why would someone acquire a bank account if not to use it usually for illegal activities? And usually it’s for scamming, which is very rampant nowadays. So when we trace where the money or transactions went, it’s not with them,” Ubac said.

He added that scammers deposit and then immediately withdraw money from these accounts. To obtain information, authorities need to file for a cyber warrant in court to disclose computer data.

Since January, QCDACT has arrested seven people for selling or facilitating the sale of bank accounts and ATM cards online.

“Selling personal bank accounts is prohibited, allowing others to use them or borrowing them is prohibited, and buying them is also prohibited. Because those bank accounts are for our personal transactions and cannot be used by other people,” Ubac said.