Seventeen Arrested for Selling Text Blasters in Manila
Seventeen individuals were arrested in the past six months for selling text blasters, authorities confirmed. The Philippine National Police – Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP ACG) reported these arrests as part of their ongoing crackdown on illegal telecom devices.
Between December 20, 2024, and July 31, 2025, the PNP ACG conducted eight entrapment operations targeting sellers of text blasters. These operations led to multiple arrests and the confiscation of equipment used in scams.
Confiscated Devices and Scam Risks
The police seized 39 text blasters and an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) catcher during these operations. Brig. Gen. Bernard Yang, PNP ACG chief, explained that these devices facilitate various scams.
“They send text messages with different links in which our fellow citizens are lured into inputting their personal data and different bank accounts and credit card information,” he said.
Additionally, the police confiscated five signal jammers, which are banned by the National Telecommunications Commission. The total estimated value of the seized devices reached approximately P1.129 million.
The Impact of Text Blasters on Public Security
Text blasters have become a tool for cybercriminals to reach large numbers of victims. These devices flood mobile phones with fraudulent messages designed to steal sensitive information.
Authorities emphasize the importance of vigilance and caution when receiving unsolicited texts containing suspicious links. The PNP ACG continues to intensify its efforts to dismantle networks that sell and use such devices.
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