PNP-ACG Busted Telecom Fraud Syndicate In Iloilo
The Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) Cyber Response Team led by PSupt Bernard R Yang under the direct supervision of PSSupt Gilbert C. Sosa busted a telecom fraud syndicate in Iloilo City on July 9, 2014 at around 1:30pm.
The success of the operation was made possible through the cooperation and collaboration of the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group to Mr. Jerry Wang, Executive Assistant of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) (in the Philippines, Taiwan and China),personnel from the Bureau of Immigration led by Intel Officer Homer Gene T. Poquez, and personnel of Iloilo City Police Office, Police Regional Office 6, led by PSSupt Ruperto T. Floro, City Director.
The operation led to the arrest of 23 Taiwanese Nationals, (21 male & 2 female) who were caught in the act of engaging with their “would-be” victims abroad using telephones, laptop computer, VOIP gateway and other devices in violation of Republic Act No. 8484.Three other unidentified foreigners fled away during the implementation of search warrant that prompted the joint elements of Anti-Cybercrime Group, Mandurriao Police and the Bureau of Immigration to chase the getaway vehicle of the suspects that was cornered at Block 10, Lot 14, Ledesco Subdivision, Cubay, Jaro, Iloilo City. The suspects immediately alighted from their vehicle and rushed inside the above-mentioned residence where they were caught by the pursuing police officers. Arrested were 19 Taiwanese National (17 male & 2 female) and 2-male Chinese Nationals who were also caught in the act of engaging with their “would-be” victims abroad.
Seized from the joint operation were assorted telephone sets, assorted network appliances, passports, laptop computers, mobile phones and accessories, and documents.
According to PSSUPT SOSA, the operation stemmed from the request of Mr. Jerry Chih-Yung Wang, Police Attaché to the Philippines of Taiwan Economic & Cultural Office dated May 2, 2014, asking for police assistance in the arrest of transnational criminal syndicate from Taiwan involved in telephone fraud victimizing Taiwanese and Chinese nationals based in Mainland China.
The modus operandi of the group is to deceive their target victims from Taiwan and mainland China by introducing themselves through VOIP Internet call system as Police Officer, Prosecutor, Judge and other government officials from Anti-Money Laundering Office. They will tell their target victims that their bank accounts were involved in money laundering, fraud and other crimes and will direct them to transfer all their money to a so-called “Security Bank Account” provided by the suspects. Once the money was wire transferred, the suspects can no longer be contacted.
To avoid them from detection and arrest, the syndicates who were designated as “Call Agents” (Police Officers, Prosecutors, Judges) usually go to the Philippines as tourists and rent houses in posh subdivisions in Metro Manila and other parts of the country where they based their illegal activities while the group leaders carried their operations in Taiwan to receive the victim’s money through wire transfer.
The arrested suspects are now under the custody of ACG and will be turned-over to the Bureau of Immigration for immediate deportation as requested by Mr. Jerry Wang. Meanwhile, the seized items were brought to PNP ACG for Forensic Examination to support the prosecution of cases in Taiwan.
The implementation of search warrants was by virtue of the order issued by Hon. Judge RAINELDA H. ESTACIO-MONTESA, RTC, Branch 46, City of Manila dated July 7, 2014, for Violation of Section 9 in relation to Sec 10, 11 and Sec 14, RA 8484 (Access Devices Regulation Act of 1998) by, through and with the use of Information Communication Technology pursuant RA 10175.
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