Authorities apprehended yesterday 39 people during a raid on a suspected love scam hub being run by foreigners in Malate, Manila.
Armed with a warrant to search, seize and examine computer data, operatives of the police Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) swooped down on three units of a condominium building where the suspects have been operating since last year.
Among the suspects are eight Chinese nationals and a Taiwanese citizen believed to be the leaders of the group, ACG director Brig. Gen. Bernard Yang said at a press briefing.
The other suspects are Filipinos, mostly women who are communicating with possible victims using fake accounts on dating apps.
‘The suspects are 20 to 40 years old,’ Yang said.
Thirty-six computers, 200 cell phones and 31 subscriber identity module or SIM cards were confiscated.
Police said they learned about the scam hub operations through an informant who told them that a group was running a highly organized multi-tiered cyberscam network utilizing romance and investment fraud.
Using artificial intelligence-enhanced social engineering tactics, Yang said the suspects would lure the victims to engage in online relationships.
Once they gain the victims’ trust, the suspects send links of fraudulent cryptocurrency platforms where the victims can invest their money.
The funds are then diverted through digital wallets and access devices.
Yang said among the victims are Americans and Europeans who lost their savings to the crime ring.
According to police, the arrested foreigners were previously affiliated with a Philippine offshore gaming operator, which was shut down after President Marcos banned POGOs.
‘These are disbanded POGO operators who formed smaller groups and engaged in guerrilla-type operations,’ Yang said.
Police said they are pursuing another foreigner tagged as the leader of the group.
Charges of violation of the Securities Regulation Code, SIM Registration Act and Access Devices Regulation Act, all in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Law will be filed against the suspects.