Police arrest 3 more Globe WIMAX fraudsters

MANILA, Philippines - A series of entrapment operations recently conducted by police and Globe Telecom security personnel resulted in the arrest of three individuals involved in the illegal sale of WIMAX modems.

Arrested in the initial entrapment operation was Alvin Garcia, also known as Boy Pasay Wimax, a resident of Baranggay 201, Zone 20 in Pasay City. A follow-up operation at his residence led to the seizure of four Globe WIMAX modems, a computer set and some 100 Globe SIM cards, which were apparently used by the suspect to clone or reconfigure SIM cards for unlimited data surfing.

Police authorities also recovered from him his personal phone which showed various transactions of WIMAX selling activities, confirming that he is indeed Boy Pasay Wimax.

A follow-up operation after Garcia’s arrest led to the apprehension of Ericson Cagara, a resident of Camarin, Caloocan City. He was arrested after he contacted Garcia with the intention of buying hacked WIMAX modems. One unit was recovered from him.

A third entrapment operation led to the arrest of Sohayli Gagaso, a resident of Maharlika Village, Taguig City. He had also sought a meeting with Garcia with the intention of buying Globe WIMAX modems.

“We are relieved that the illegal sale of Globe WIMAX modems in Pasay City had been put to an end,” said lawyer Froilan Castelo, head of Globe’s Corporate and Legal Services Group.

“We would like to appeal to our subscribers to bring to our attention any suspicious offers that they may receive concerning the sale of supposed WIMAX modems,” Castelo said, noting that certain criminal elements had utilized the popular social media site Facebook in luring subscribers into this illegal activities.

Criminal charges against the suspects for violation of Republic Act 8484, or the Access Device Act, and Presidential Decree 1612 or the Anti-Fencing Law have been filed against the suspects, Castelo said.

Similar to other arrests made in the past, the modus operandi has been to pull out the WIMAX modem from legitimate subscribers on pretext of an upgrade. The modems are then reconfigured and sold at a one-time cost payment.

Castelo said legitimate subscription of Globe products and services are available through Globe-authorized sellers and distributors as well as in numerous Globe Stores nationwide.