This picture taken and released on August 22, 2024 by the National Capital Region Police Office-Public Information Office shows policemen watching as employees of a Chinese-run scam farm cover their faces during a raid at an office tower in Manila. (Photo by handout / NCRPO-PIO / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines — Six foreigners who allegedly accessed bank accounts from victims of “love scam” hubs were recently arrested in Manila, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said on Friday.
NBI enforced a warrant to search, seize and examine computer data (WSSECD) at a condominium unit in Malate district last February 10.
This operation led to the arrest of Cai Yusheng, Cai Xangyong, Li Chengwa, Qiu Qiyu, Qui Quingquan and Nguyen Thi Dung.
Operatives learned that Yusheng, Xangyong and Li were the ones engaging in the illegal activities from the love scam facility.
“During the implementation of the WSSECD, subjects were operating a payment scheme where the collected information from their ‘love scam hub’ in Makati were used to transfer funds to an illegally accessed third-party bank account,” the NBI said in a statement.
“They were illegally accessing the bank accounts belonging to several individuals and transferring the credits of such accounts to several accounts under their control,” the bureau further said.
The arrest stemmed from their WSSECD operation last February 3 to 4 which led to the arrest of Sun Guying and his Filipino interpreter Tony Perez Go in Makati.
On the other hand, NBI said Qiyu, Quingquan and Nguyen were tasked to access to these online bank accounts.
“They have access to the online bank accounts and could generate One-Time Password (OTP), a strong evidence of illegal access of bank account through a computer system,” the NBI said.
The subjects have since been presented for inquest proceedings before the City Prosecutor of Manila for violation of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
Love scam centers based in the country have victimized around 5,000 Australians, with AU$24 million lost to scammers, according to the authorities.
Senator Win Gatchalian, who chairs the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, plans on file a resolution seeking to investigate love scam syndicates.