NBI arrests over 200 employees of online lending app's collecting arm

More than 200 employees were arrested after authorities raided the establishment linked to an online gambling app, according to the report of John Consulta in "Saksi."

According to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the employees allegedly pretend to have a warrant to intimidate borrowers into paying their debts.

The NBI Special Action Unit raided an establishment and a nearby building. The NBI said they raided the collecting arm of several online lending apps by virtue of a search warrant.

"Tatakutin nila. Magpapanggap na mga law enforcers sila para bayaran. At magpapanggap din na may mga inisyu na warrant, bench warrant at ano-ano pang mga dokumento para mapwersa na magbayad," said NBI Director Atty. Melvin Matibag.

(They will scare you. They will pretend to be law enforcers to get paid. And they will also pretend to have issued warrants, bench warrants and other documents to force you to pay.)

There were also equipment recovered such as SIM cards, digital phones used to call borrowers, and text messaging software that can change numbers and names of companies.

The authorities also found in cellphones and computers scripts used to scare borrowers and photos of police officers, and fake messages from the PNP and NBI.

The NBI also said the employees erase messages sent out to intimidate borrowers every three months. This was denied by the supervisor of the company.

The employees face several cases including the illegal use of electronic devices, cases related to impersonating police officers, forgery of warrants. — BAP, GMA News