Police nab Filipino, 2 Nigerians in Las Piñas for online fraud

Anti-cybercrime authorities from the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday arrested two Nigerian nationals and a Filipino for online fraud and swindling.

In a statement on Wednesday, the suspects were identified as Evans Amara Okeke, Chidiebere Junior Ezema, and Judy Ann Japitana.

Police said the victim identified as Ellen Briones, 64 years old, sent money several times of up to P3.23 million through money transfer for a certain Evans Amara Okeke.

PNP Chief Police General Debold Sinas said Briones met Okeke, who introduced himself to her as "engineer Michael Gerald," online. They exchanged messages until they got into a relationship.

The suspect told Briones that he would be going to the Philippine for a shopping mall construction project in San Fernando, La Union but she later found out that the suspect was a fraud and reported him to authorities. It was not immediately clear what Briones was giving the Nigerian money for.

A search warrant for violation of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 was served against the suspects  in Las Piñas City.

The suspects are under the custody of the Cyber Financial Crime Unit at PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group Custodial Facility in Camp Crame for documentation and filing of appropriate charges, PNP said.

“Our cybercops are going after perpetrators of online fraud and scams and will arrest cyber criminals who are involved in online illegal activities that may cause harm, confusion, and panic among our people,” Sinas said. -MDM, GMA News