2 Chinese men nabbed for alleged data theft from Bulacan cell site
Police arrested 2 Chinese citizens who were allegedly using equipment to gather data that would be used in scamming activities from a cell tower in Baliuag, Bulacan.
According to a 24 Oras report by Emil Sumangil on Tuesday, the Philippine National Police (PNP) – Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) apprehended the suspects inside a car parked near the cell site.
The cops were able to seize equipment, which they said was able to retrieve information from phones and other electronic equipment within its range.
'Ito po ay isang electronic equipment na capable po siya mag-intercept, mag-store and mag-utilize ng information na na-obtain po from various communication devices such as cellphone, computers, etc… Para po siyang cell site simulator na imitate niya po yung cell tower,' said CIDG Bulacan Provincial Officer Police Lieutenant Colonel Milgrace Driz.
(This is electronic equipment capable of intercepting, storing, and utilizing information obtained from various communication devices such as cellphone, computers, etc… This is a cell site simulator that imitates cell towers.)
Police said the collected information would then be used for scamming activities.
The two men refused to comment but claimed they were installers.
'Itong isa po actually parang dito na naninirahan sa Pilipinas, at itong isa po ay isang fugitive po ng China. No comment sila, installer lang daw sila. From China, may nagpapadala sa kanila sa Pilipinas,' she said.
(One of them seems like they lived in the Philippines, while the other is a fugitive in China. They have no comment, and said they were only installers. From China, someone is sending them to the Philippines.)
CIDG investigators said the information gathered by the suspects would be used to contact potential victims online.
'Pwede niyang magamit ito sa panloloko, pag scam… 'Yung mga information po natin na makukuha sa isang cell tower po,' she added.
(They can use this to victimize or scam people… This information can be gathered from a cell tower.)
Authorities are still conducting further investigation to prevent the spread of said spy equipment.
'Nafile-an na po natin sila ng kaso pending sa DOJ, Department of Justice… Mayroon na po silang hinain na preliminary investigation,' she added.
(We have filed pending cases against them to the DOJ, Department of Justice… They have already begun a preliminary investigation.) —Jiselle Anne Casucian/RF, GMA Integrated News
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