Chinese woman among 14 suspects nabbed in Paranaque scam hub raid
In a press release, a team composed of operatives from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group's Anti-Organized Crime Unit (AOCU) and the Department of Justice–Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (DOJ-IACAT) served a search warrant at the Bayport West Garden Residences, located in NAIA Road, Brgy. Tambo, Parañaque City on early Thursday morning.
The operation targeted what was reported as an online task job hub and resulted in the arrest of 14 persons, including a Chinese woman and the rescue of a 17-year old female teenager. The suspects were allegedly engaged in scamming activities when they were caught.
Authorities confiscated assorted information communication technology (ICT) devices, including 70 desktop computers, mobile phones, computer peripherals, a metal vault, dormitory pass IDs, and passports; and discovered cryptocurrency account numbers.
The suspects are facing charges for violating Republic Act 9208 (Anti -Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 as amended by Republic Act 10364 (Expanded Human Trafficking Act of 2012) in relation to Republic Act 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012); and Republic Act 12010 (Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act (AFASA).
The rescued minor was turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for appropriate intervention and disposition.
Online Task Job Scam
Police said the scheme typically operates through the online messaging application 'Telegram' where the scammers send links to their intended victims. Each suspect is assigned to 600 Telegram accounts to contact potential victims.
Once the link is accessed, the victims are directed to a so-called 'task job,' which assigns simple online tasks such as liking the pages of hotel packages.
After the tasks are completed, the victims are instructed to open a Binance account - cryptocurrency account.
Upon successfully creating the account, the scammers then require the victims to deposit funds into it. The victims are subsequently directed to transfer the deposited funds into a Binance account allegedly managed by the arrested Chinese manager.
The scammers will lure victims that the transferred money will generate profit or collect interest, promising continuous growth of the investment. Once the victims are convinced to give a certain amount the suspects steal the money.
"I commend the CIDG Anti-Organized Crime Unit (AOCU) and DOJ-IACAT for their swift and responsive action that resulted in the arrests of the suspects, and the rescue of the minor victim. This underscores our unyielding fight against trafficking in persons, child abuse, and cybercrimes. With this, we significantly prevented future 'online task job scam' from happening. Maraming Salamat sa inyo.', Police Brigadier Gen. Christopher Abrahano said. — RF, GMA Integrated News
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Chinese woman among 14 suspects nabbed in Paranaque scam hub raid
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