247 lending firm employees held for harassment

MANILA, Philippines — Up to 247 employees of an online lending company in Makati City, including three foreigners, were rounded up on Friday night for allegedly harassing clients who fail to pay their loans on time.

Joint teams from the Philippine Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and police Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) raided the Golden Koi Lending Co. Inc. in Barangay San Lorenzo at around 6:45 p.m.

Armed with a warrant to seize, search and examine computer data issued by Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 24 Judge Maria Victoria Soriano-Villadolid, the lawmen raided the lending firm, which occupies two floors of a building along Salcedo street in Legazpi Village.

PAOCC executive director Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz said the operation was in response to the complaint of a person, whom he did not identify, who said the lending firm is harassing him online for failing to pay his monthly dues.

“The PAOCC has a witness against the company who works as a collection agent,” Cruz said in a statement.

Apprehended during the operation were three foreigners: a Chinese, a Taiwanese and one Malaysian. Cruz said 244 Filipinos were taken into custody.

Seized during the raid were several computer laptops and cell phones.

The suspects face complaints for violation of Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act.