NBI raids Cavite 'training area' for online scammers taking advantage of COVID-19 lockdown

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Friday raided a training area in Cavite for scammers taking advantage of the Luzon-wide lockdown to prey on victims who rely on online transactions.

According to John Consulta's exclusive report, the NBI-Cybercrime Division stormed a hideout within a subdivision in Imus where new recruits are being trained.

Authorities said the supposed "training" involved the suspects withdrawing money using stolen cards.

"Taga-withdraw lang po talaga ako. Habang nagkwe-kwentuhan, tinuturuan po kami, parang ganon po. May binibigay siya sa aming site tapos 'yun po, may pinaka-ano po doon na dapat namin i-scam," Jeizyr Nisola, a suspect, said.

The NBI said it will find evidence within the computers found at the hideout to strengthen the case and find other members of the syndicate.

Aside from the computers, authorities also confiscated numerous online payment account cards.

"Dito nililipat 'yung pera. Sa gabi mga 11:58 mag wi-withdraw sila. After few minutes ng madaling araw, mga 12:01, 12:02, magwi-withdraw sila para sa bank limit, ma-avoid nila 'yon para makapag-withdraw sila ng mas maraming pera," said NBI agent Jerome Hernandez.

The NBI also retrieved a video showing newly-recruited scammers being taught how to withdraw money from ATMs.

"Pagkatapos kasi nung nagkaroon ng lockdown, nagsama-sama sila dito kaya may nahuli tayo ngayon," NBI Cybercrime Division chief Vic Lorenzo said.

"Sila 'yung mga, 'yung isa tine-train pa lang, 'yung iba full-time hackers na. Kapag i-scam, paano ang wordings na gagamitin mo, ano ang target na account details, ano ang bangkong ta-target-in mo. 'Yun ang whole scenario ng training nila dito," he added.

The NBI also nabbed another hacker in Binan, Laguna, the report also said. -Joahna Lei Casilao/MDM, GMA News