The National Bureau of Investigation on Tuesday announced the arrest of 15 Chinese nationals for illegal online gambling and a Nigerian swindler in separate operations in Manila, Parañaque and Angeles City, Pampanga last week.
Yu Shize, Lin Hai Yang, Li Jun Qing, Yu Wen Quian, Xiao Wen Law, Cai Shui Rong, Lin Jingming, Ji Shi Lin, Qiu Zai Wei and Xiao Jian Ze, were arrested in an operation in Angeles City on Nov. 23.
The group conducted operations from a house at Marigold St. Cor. Don Tomas Dizon Ave. Punta Verde Subd. in Pulong, Angeles City in a house owned by Li Kun Ling.
Seized from the operation were 13 desktop computers, 25 smart phones and 24 prepaid SIM cards.
NBI experts confirmed the seized computers were used for illegal online gambling.
The NBI also presented five individuals who were arrested in a separate operation in three condominium units in Manila on Nov. 22.
The suspects were identified as Pan Jianbei, Pan Taiyuan, Jie Lu, Shengbo Zhang and Jian Lou Zhou.
NBI agents captured screenshots of online gambling activities including online payments and betting games.
The 15 individuals in the two operations were charged with violation of Presidential Decree 1602 otherwise known as the Anti-Illegal Gambling Act in relation to Republic Act 10175 otherwise known as the Cybercrime Prevention Act.
NBI Cyber Crime Division chief Vicente De Guzman confirmed that the groups entered the country legally under tourist visas.
The NBI also arrested Sean Charles Ogun, a Nigerian national, in Parañaque for computer fraud.
Ogun was arrested in an entrapment operation last Nov. 14 on a computer hacking scam which diverted funds from victims’ bank accounts.
READ: Pagcor vows to intensify crackdown vs illegal online gaming companies
READ: Online gambling ring busted; website host in Philippines