NBI arrests 48 in Parañaque scam hub bust

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Monday announced the arrest of 48 individuals allegedly involved in an online scam hub in Parañaque City.

In a statement, the bureau said it received information about a group engaged in illegal schemes such as "love scams," “pig butchering,” and cryptocurrency investment fraud.

"Love scams" involve fraudsters building fake online relationships to gain victims’ trust before requesting urgent money for fabricated emergencies.

“Pig butchering” scams involve long-term grooming of victims who are then lured into fake cryptocurrency investments that show false profits before funds are stolen.

Cryptocurrency investment scams involve the use of fake trading platforms that promise high returns, display fabricated gains, and later block withdrawals or demand additional fees.

After validating the information, the NBI secured a Warrant to Search, Seize, and Examine Computer Data (WSSECD) and carried out an operation.

Agents recovered pre-written scripts containing step-by-step guides used to engage and deceive victims.

The NBI said the suspects used “deceptive representations and emotional manipulation” to gain victims’ trust and induce them to send money.

Of those arrested, 41 were Filipino women and seven were foreign nationals.

The suspects were presented for inquest proceedings for alleged computer-related fraud under the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 and the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act (AFASA).

“Director (Melvin) Matibag issued a strong warning to all individuals involved in this illegal modus operandi, stating that the NBI will spare no effort in relentlessly pursuing and prosecuting them to ensure justice is served,” the bureau said.—MCG, GMA News