Foreign Scammers Arrested in Cebu City
CEBU CITY – Authorities have arrested a group of foreign scammers in Cebu City, uncovering a significant cybercrime operation. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) apprehended 17 Taiwanese nationals involved in fraudulent activities. These arrests were made at a makeshift office located within a local subdivision on May 15.
The foreign scammers arrested in Cebu City include 16 men and one woman. According to sources familiar with the matter, six of the suspects have outstanding arrest warrants issued by their home country. The group reportedly targeted victims from their own nationality, highlighting a cross-border scam network.
The Four Seas Gang and Cybercrime Charges
Authorities revealed the suspects belong to the Four Seas Gang, a criminal organization based in Taiwan known for sophisticated scams. The NBI’s operation was launched following a request from the Naval Intelligence and Security Group (NISG), which helped track down the suspects.
Local experts shared that investigators found various materials during the raid, including notes, scripts, and applications used to deceive victims. The suspects were traced after one member with an outstanding warrant attempted to book a flight from Manila to Cebu, enabling authorities to intervene.
Evidence Seized During the Raid
During the operation, officials confiscated 17 computers, 23 mobile phones, and two cryptocurrency wallets. These items are believed to have been used in coordinating and conducting the scams.
Impact of Scamming Activities and Reactions
Representatives from Taiwan’s police attaché office expressed support for the arrests. They emphasized that Taiwan loses approximately one million New Taiwan dollars (around PHP 1 billion) each week due to such scams. A local official remarked, “NBI’s swift response prevented further harm to potential victims. I deeply admire NBI’s commitment and effort.”
Pending Charges Against Suspects
The suspects will face charges including computer-related forgery under the Cybercrime Prevention Act (Republic Act 10175), social engineering schemes, and economic sabotage. Authorities continue to investigate the full extent of the group’s operations to prevent similar incidents in the future.
This latest development highlights the ongoing challenges posed by foreign scammers in the Philippines and the need for vigilant law enforcement collaboration.
For more news and updates on foreign scammers arrested in Cebu City, visit Filipinokami.com.