Latest news with #Anti-FinancialAccountScammingAct
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GMA Network
3 days ago
- GMA Network
4 Chinese citizens arrested at alleged scam hub in Parañaque
Four Chinese citizens were arrested and multiple electronic gadgets were seized when National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents raided an alleged scam hub inside a condominium unit in Parañaque City on Wednesday. According to a ''24 Oras'' report by John Consulta on Friday, NBI agents from the Criminal Intelligence Division were serving an arrest warrant in one unit of the condo when they noticed suspicious activity coming from a nearby unit. Agents reportedly witnessed Chinese citizens throwing laptops and mobile phones out the window, prompting them to shift their attention to the adjacent room. 'Umikot yung ibang tropa doon sa may bintana, sa may gilid. Nakita namin may tinatapon ng mga laptop. Kaya nagtaka kami,' said NBI Assistant Director for Intelligence Service Noel Bocaling. (Some of our team members went to the side near the window. We saw laptops being thrown out, which raised our suspicions.) Upon entry into the unit, the agents discovered computers and electronic equipment allegedly used in online scamming operations. Scattered on the floor below the condo unit were laptops, cellphones, and tablets, which investigators believe was a deliberate attempt to destroy evidence. 'Positive kasi yung mga natirang hindi nila naibato, na masira, naabutan namin sa loob. They are indeed involved in scam operations,'' Bocaling said. (The devices they failed to destroy and that we recovered confirm they are indeed involved in scam operations.) Asked if data could still be retrieved from the damaged devices, Bocaling responded, 'Magta-try kami (We will try).'' 'Pagka makukuha namin yung mga nandodoon, malalaman natin kung sino mga naloko nila at kung ano-ano mga bansa.' (Once we retrieve the data, we can find out who their victims are and which countries were targeted.) The four arrested Chinese citizens are currently detained at the NBI facility and face charges under the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act. They have declined to comment regarding their arrest. —Sherylin Untalan/VBL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
5 days ago
- Business
- GMA Network
Romualdez: Almost half of LEDAC priority measures enacted into law
Speaker and Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez said Thursday that 12 out of the 27 priority measures identified by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) have been enacted into law. Romualdez made the announcement during the eighth LEDAC meeting under the Marcos administration held in Malacañang on Thursday morning. Signed into law by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr were: New Government Procurement Reform Act Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act Imposing Value Added Tax on Digital Transactions Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning Program Act, Self-Reliant Defense Posture Revitalization Act Philippine Maritime Zones Act Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act CREATE More Act Enterprise-Based Education and Training Framework Act, and amendments to the Agricultural Tariffication Act. The bill containing proposed amendments to Electric Power Industry Reform Act, on the other hand, lapsed into law last April 18. The proposed Capital Markets Promotion Act is already approved by the House and the Senate and was sent to the Office of the President last April 29. 'This milestone reflects our unwavering commitment to President Marcos' call for legislative action that makes a difference in the lives of ordinary Filipinos. These are not just bills—they are real solutions to real problems,' Romualdez said. Also approved on third and final reading by the House and transmitted to the Senate were National Water Resources Act, amendments to the Right-of-Way Act, National Citizens Service Training Program Act, Military and Uniformed Personnel Pension System Act, Water Treatment Technology Act, Single-use Plastic Bags Tax Act, Revised Government Auditing Act, and Immigration Modernization Act. Still, Romualdez said the work is far from over since the following measures are still being deliberated in the bicameral conference committee: Blue Economy Act Amendments to the Universal Health Care Act Open Access in Data Transmission Act E-Governance Act Rationalization of Mining Fiscal Regime and Foreign Investors' Long Term lease amendments. Romualdez then assured President Marcos that the House of Representatives remains committed to passing legislation that would make daily life better for Filipinos. 'As Congress resumes session on June 2, [you can be] rest assured of our unwavering commitment to enacting key legislation that will bring tangible improvements in the lives of the Filipino people,' he said. Also present during the LEDAC meeting were Senate President Francis 'Chiz' Escudero, members of the Cabinet, and House Majority Leader and Zamboanga City Rep Manuel Jose 'Mannix' Dalipe, among others.—AOL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
16-05-2025
- GMA Network
10 Chinese nabbed in small-scale scam hub in Bataan
Ten Chinese nationals were arrested in Bataan for allegedly operating a small-scale scam hub in residential houses, according to a report by John Consulta on "24 Oras." Agents from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) raided at least three houses suspected of being used in online scamming activities. Inside, they found computers, electronic gadgets, and a satellite internet system believed to have been used to avoid detection by bypassing local internet providers. During the operation, the first Chinese national encountered by authorities had his phone confiscated on the spot. Several others were found hiding inside cabinets and closets as agents swept through the premises. According to NBI Intelligence Division Assistant Director Noel Bocaling, the suspects were former members of a larger Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) group. After the government dismantled a major POGO hub in Porac, Pampanga — the same one linked to controversial figure Alice Guo — some individuals fled and established smaller independent groups to continue their operations. 'Yung kaso ni Alice Guo at sa Porac na na-dismantle ng PAOCC, nung dinismantle nila yan, marami ang nakatakas. Nung tumakas, di na sila nag-amo, sila-sila ang nagcreate ng grupo-grupo nila. Yung mga cellphones na gamit nila doon nakatakip ang mga camera para di makita ng mga kausap nila,' Bocaling said. (When the PAOCC dismantled that site in Bamban in Alice Guo's case and in Porac, many escaped. After fleeing, they stopped working under a single boss and instead formed their own smaller networks. They even covered their phone cameras so their contacts wouldn't see them.) Authorities were tipped off after it was discovered that one of the houses rented by the group was owned by the child of a former NBI agent. A Chinese informant — who strongly opposes illegal cyber activities — also helped in gathering intelligence. 'Nagkamali sila dahil yung mayari ng inuupahan nila yung anak dating NBI agent. Ang asset natin diyan Chinese din na ayaw na ayaw na ganyan,' he added. (They made a mistake in choosing that house. Our asset in the area is also Chinese and refuses to tolerate scams like these.) The 10 arrested individuals face charges under the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act and are currently under NBI custody. The investigation is ongoing to trace other possible scam hubs operating in the area. —Sherylin Untalan/LDF, GMA Integrated News
