NBI busts gang of credit card hackers

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) busted a syndicate behind the hacking of credit cards from abroad with the arrest of three of its members here.

Arrested were Zandro del Pilar, the alleged mastermind of the group, his common-law wife Marichu Villegas, both of 24 Fatima Ville, Road 15, Project 8, Quezon City and Dante Castro, of 17 Masagana street, Manotok Subdivision, Baesa, Quezon City.

NBI agents said Villegas and Castro, whom agents noted was once a character actor in the movies of Fernando Poe Jr., were arrested last Monday in Quzon City. The two later pointed to Del Pilar as the mastermind, prompting the agents to arrest him.

The NBI noted that the modus operandi of the group was to hack and tap genuine credit cards abroad, then process a fund transfer to cash cards here.

After the fund transfer, the suspect can easily use the card to purchase goods at stores or withdraw cash. The suspects used Smart Money cards in their illegal activities.

The NBI learned about the illegal activities after Paul Hubbard, manager of Total Solutions Software Inc. in the Philippines, sought NBI assistance following complaints of unlicensed money transfers.

Hubbard’s company is the developer of Yes Pinoy, a company that processes the transfer of funds of overseas Filipino workers to their families in the Philippines.

Based on the complaint, the NBI conducted an investigation and gathered that Villegas, using Karina Co as an alias, defrauded Eliana Moreira and Jennifer Moore in bank transactions dated Oct. 16 and 20.

During the transaction, Villegas withdrew about P20,000 from an automated teller machine in Quezon City.

The illegal activities were traced after Yes Pinoy officials contacted the legitimate card holders, who denied requesting a money transfer.

On the other hand, Castro was arrested after receiving a package containing Smart Money cards from an undercover agent. Castro claimed he was merely commissioned by Villegas to get the package.

The suspects will be charged with violation of the Credit Card Fraud Law, falsification of public documents and estafa.

An NBI agent said the group has just started its illegal operation. "Fortunately, the suspects were caught at an early stage of their illegal activities."