Abstract:NBI nabbed eight Chinese nationals for crypto scams phishing, cryptocurrency fraud, and social engineering.
MANILA – The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested eight Chinese nationals involved in a cryptocurrency and phishing scam in Parañaque City. In a press release on Wednesday, the NBI named the suspects as Xiao Li, Chuan Zi Gao, Ming Ru Li, Wen Shu Liu, Qui Shun Li, Cai Li Pan, Changfu Liu, and Zhang Zhen. A ninth suspect, Hwang Xiaobin, remains at large.
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NBI Director Jaime Santiago revealed that the suspects orchestrated various cybercrimes, including investment fraud, crypto asset scams, romance scams, and identity theft. Their operations heavily relied on social engineering techniques and digital communication tools.
After weeks of surveillance, the Regional Trial Court of Parañaque City granted a Warrant to Search, Seize, and Examine Computer Data (WSSECD) on January 14. This paved the way for a raid conducted by NBI operatives and the Digital Forensic Laboratory (DFL) on January 17.
During the operation, DFL representatives found evidence on-site, including transcript templates used for phishing and social engineering schemes. Additionally, financial transactions linked to cryptocurrency scams were uncovered during the forensic examination of seized laptops and desktops.
The suspects now face charges for violating Republic Act No. 10175, the Cybercrime Prevention Act, Republic Act No. 12010, or The Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act (AFASA). These charges have been formally filed with the Parañaque City Prosecutors Office.
This successful operation underscores the NBI's commitment to combating cybercrime, particularly in Parañaque City. As scams involving cryptocurrency and phishing become more sophisticated, authorities remain vigilant in safeguarding the public from fraud. Public awareness and caution in online transactions are essential to counter these threats effectively.
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