The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) announced Tuesday it arrested 17 foreign nationals for cybercrime activities in Makati City.
NBI Director Jaime Santiago said the “continuous cyber patrolling and intelligence gathering of the NBI Cybercrime Division (CCD) intercepted an organized cybercrime group engaged in large-scale online scamming activities.”
Santiago said the operation on Friday resulted in the arrest of 15 Chinese nationals, one Malaysian, and one Taiwanese, who were all caught red-handed having engaged in the illicit activities.
CCD operatives, in coordination with the local police, implemented the Warrant to Search, Seize, and Examine Computer Data (WSSECD) issued by regional trial court Branch 147 against the premises located at #3840 Mascardo Street, Tejeros, Makati City.
Through search and examination, several live electronic devices such as desktop computers, laptops, and mobile phones used in illicit online operations were found.
Further, controlled viewing and onsite forensic examination conducted on the electronic devices led to the discovery of digital evidence, tools, and applications for social engineering schemes, illegal access, misuse of devices, computer-related forgery, and fraud, in violation of the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act and the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
Santiago commended the CCD operatives for the successful operation, stressing that “the NBI remains relentless in its battle against cybercriminals.”
