MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation arrested 12 Chinese allegedly involved in online scams and five Filipinos for reportedly attempting to bribe the NBI agents in Parañaque last week.
The Chinese and Filipino suspects were nabbed by personnel of the NBI and Bureau of Immigration (BI) at an alleged scam hub in Aseana City, Barangay Tambo on Jan. 8.
The NBI assisted the BI in implementing a mission order against the foreigners suspected of violating the country’s immigration law.
During the operation, NBI agents discovered a fully operational scam hub, with evidence including desktops displaying romance scam scripts, fake investment schemes and fraudulent cryptocurrency transactions.
The discovery led to the arrest of 12 Chinese nationals: Xu Chao, Meng Wei Shi, Xing Chao, Qin Hai Feng, Li Xiang Hua, Zhang Wei, Wang Qin Xiang, Wang Jia Fa, Jiang Qi Long, Luo Shang Fen, Qixin Wang and Chen Jiang Song.
While the foreigners were being processed, Filipino-Chinese interpreter Ezechiel Bernales approached the NBI agents, claiming to represent the suspects.
In exchange for the suspects’ release, Bernales allegedly offered P300,000 per arrested person or a total of P3.6 million.
To address the bribery attempt, the NBI hatched an entrapment operation.
On Jan. 10, three cars arrived at the NBI’s parking lot in Quezon City.
Robustiano Hizon, a driver, allegedly handed over a black bag containing P900,000 to one of the NBI operatives.
Hizon was taken into custody along with his companions John Abunda Villanueva, Kristoffer Ryan Habelito Baguna and Hanif Mala Baultil.
The Chinese suspects are facing complaints for violating the Cybercrime Prevention Act, Anti-Financial Account Scamming Law and economic sabotage.
The Filipino suspects were charged with corruption of public officials under Article 212 of the Revised Penal Code.