OPERATIVES of the National Bureau of Investigation rescued a female household worker and arrested seven Chinese in Paranaque City for alleged involvement in scamming activities.
NBI Director Jaime Santiago said the victim, identified only as “Let-let,” was rescued after being denied access to her phone and detained for two months.
Santiago said the case stemmed from a complaint received by the NBI-Cybercrime Division last December 11 alleging that “Let-let” was being illegally detained and forced to render service against her will.
Acting on the complaint, Santiago said the NBI hatched an operation to rescue the victim who, based on information provided by the complainant, could be found at 16B Jhon Paul St., Multinational Village, Moonwalk, Paranaque City.
While the victim was identifying the seven Chinese suspects, Santiago said his men were astonished by the operational set-up found in one of the rooms which “clearly indicated that the individuals inside were engaged in scamming activities.
“The presence of multiple desktop computers, mobile phones, SIM cards, written scripts, and customer ledgers strongly implies an organized deceit,” he said.
The NBI chief added the operatives saw several scripts, messaging applications with fictitious accounts, bank accounts and fraudulent cryptocurrency investment platforms.
Further examination, Santiago said, showed the scripts and tools were being used in scamming activities such as catfishing scams, credit card scams, cryptocurrency scams and fake investment scams.
Santiago said the Chinese would face charges for violation of Section 4(a) of Republic Act 11862 or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2022, Computer-related Forgery under Section 4(b) (1) of RA 10175 otherwise known as the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, Social Engineering Schemes under Section 4(b)(1)) of RA 12010 otherwise known as the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act (AFASA) in relation to RA 10175 and (4) Republic Act 10361also known as the “Domestic Workers Act” or “Batas Kasambahay.”
The seven are being held at the NBI detention facility.
