NBI nabs illegal recruiter; seizes P803-M in fake goods

A man using an alias to evade detection was arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for illegal recruitment, estafa, and acts of lasciviousness following complaints from several victims.

The NBI-Cavite North District Office (CAVIDO-North) conducted an entrapment operation in Naic, Cavite, on 1 August 2025, leading to the arrest of Noel P. Santos, also known as Mark Ivan Rosel.

The suspect allegedly promised employment in Japan as a masseur without proper authorization from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and received money from his victims.

Santos faces charges under Section 6 of Republic Act No. 8042 (Migrant Workers Act), Article 315 (Estafa) of the Revised Penal Code, and Article 336 (Acts of Lasciviousness). He was presented for inquest before the Cavite Provincial Prosecutor and is currently detained at the NBI Jail Facility in Muntinlupa City.

Meanwhile, the NBI National Capital Region (NBI-NCR) enforced search warrants in Manila, Pasay, and Valenzuela for violations of Republic Act No. 8293, the “Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines.”

On 5 August 2025, the NBI-NCR and the NBI-Intellectual Property Rights Division (NBI-IPRD) served ten search warrants in four targets located in Binondo, Manila, and one in Baclaran, Pasay City, for unlawfully storing, selling, and distributing counterfeit products.

The operation resulted in the seizure of 19,546 pieces of counterfeit sunglasses and prescription glasses bearing various “OAKLEY” trademarks, 42,258 pieces of counterfeit “RAY-BAN” sunglasses and prescription glasses bearing the trademarks of LUXOTTICA, and various business documents, receipts, and sales invoices, along with other pieces of evidence. The estimated value of the seized goods is around P800 million.

On the same date, NBI-NCR agents and NBI-IPRD served two search warrants at a warehouse in Valenzuela City for unauthorized reproductions.

The operation yielded 6,293 pieces of finished and unfinished products bearing counterfeit “WD-40” trademarks, 270 counterfeit canisters resembling WD-40 products, and various business documents. The seized goods have an estimated worth of around P3 million.

The NBI reminded the public to refrain from patronizing pirated products to protect intellectual property rights and help strengthen economic growth.