OPERATIVES of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested two Chinese nationals in Bulacan on Wednesday for possession of an equipment capable of intercepting messages from cell phones.
The suspects, named only as Feng and Shi, will be charged with violation of the crime of misuse of devices under the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
They were arrested by CIDG operatives, men of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission, and other police units during an entrapment operation at Primavera Homes, Barangay Sabang in Baliuag City.
In a statement, the CIDG said the two were “caught in the act of possessing, installing and deploying electronic equipment capable of intercepting, storing, and utilizing information obtained from various communication equipment particularly cell phones.”
Seized from the suspects was an international mobile subscriber identity or IMSI catcher which are used in intercepting mobile communications, including text messages.
Also seized from them were an IMSI catcher antenna, battery, a wifi internet router, inverters, and a Toyota Fortuner sports utility vehicle.
The suspects are now detained at the CIDG Bulacan Provincial Field Unit while charges are being prepared against them.
“With the arrest of the suspects and confiscation of these devices, we significantly prevented cybercrimes and possible intercepting, storing, and utilizing of information obtained from various communication equipment particularly cell phones, from happening,” said CIDG director Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III.
Torre said the use of the IMSI catcher “is a violation of individual human rights and a threat to our national security.”
Torre reiterated that the CIDG remains “relentless in its fight against all kinds of crimes including cybercrimes, and steadfast in enforcing all the laws.”
“We are warning all criminals, local or foreign nationals that the CIDG is dauntless, the CIDG means business,” Torre said.
