22 Chinese, Taiwanese arrested for allegedly running phone fraud scheme

October 24, 2018

Operatives of the Philippine National Police ( PNP) Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) arrested Wednesday 22 Chinese and Taiwanese nationals in Ilocos Norte for allegedly operating a telephone fraud scheme.

Chief Superintendent Marni Marcos Jr., ACG director, said the operation took place around 4:50 a.m. and targeted two areas, a warehouse in Barangay Medina in Dingras and a unit in a hotel in Barangay 51A, Nangalisan East in Laoag City.

A total of 22 foreigners were arrested, 15 of whom are Chinese, he  said in a report.

Policemen seized gateway switches, laptops, cellphones, telephones, SIM cards and other equipment.

The operation stemmed from a letter from the Chinese government concerning a syndicate believed to be operating in the Philippines that defrauded millions of dollars from Chinese nationals in China, Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

“These international syndicate, under false pretenses as staffs of the Chinese Embassy, Chinese law enforcement, or even using the photograph of the Minister of Public Security, would call potential victims, and claiming that the said victims are involved in crimes, convince them to pay a certain amount of money,” said Marcos.

The victims would deposit money to a bank account provided by the suspects.

The suspects are facing cases for violating the Cybercrime Prevention Act and Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code for estafa. DMS