NBI busts fake credit card ring

A fake credit card syndicate was busted by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) following the arrest of three suspected members in Pasig City over the weekend.

NBI director identified the suspects as Wilfredo So Lin, 55, the syndicate’s alleged financier, and resident of 3065 Nagtahan, Manila; Ferdinand Cura, 42, of Maaliwalas Street, Pandacan, Manila; and Ramil Norte, 24, of Pacita Complex, San Pedro, Laguna.

According to an investigation conducted by the NBI’s Intelligence Special Operations Division (ISOD) led by Oscar Embido, the suspects allegedly purchased from Maxsaver Computer store on Shaw Boulevard, Pasig City several computer units and parts worth P1.4 million.

As payment, Lin, Cura and Norte used their credit cards. The cards, the NBI said, were later found out to be fake.

Maxsaver Computer sought the assistance of the NBI, which sent agents to store and arrested the three suspects as they were about to transport the computer equipment.

The NBI said another suspect identified as Richard Valdez, alias Carlos Valdez, said to be the syndicate’s leader, remains at large and is now the subject of a hunt.

Charges of estafa through falsification of commercial documents and violation of the Access Device Regulation Act of 1998 were filed against the arrested suspects before the Pasig City Prosecutor’s Office. Lin, Cura and Norte are currently detained at the NBI jail.