National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Jaime Santiago presents seven Chinese nationals arrested during a Cybercrime Division (CCD) operation at a press conference on Tuesday.
The operation also rescued a trafficked victim, a house helper identified as “Let-let” (not her real name), who had been working for three months at the site where the scammers operated. Detained for two months, she was barred from using her phone or leaving the premises after discovering the illegal activities. She also reported delayed and insufficient salary payments.
Director Santiago said the investigation uncovered desktops containing fraudulent scripts, messaging applications with fictitious accounts, bank account details, and cryptocurrency investment schemes.
The seven Chinese nationals face charges under the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2022, computer-related forgery under the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, social engineering schemes under the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act, and the Domestic Workers Act.
The NBI said it is still identifying other individuals involved and investigating possible links to rogue Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) operating on a smaller scale. John Carlo Magallon