NBI arrests Chinese national; retrieves device used for scams

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has arrested a Chinese in Cavite for alleged involvement in fraudulent activities, Director Melvin Matibag said Tuesday.

In an ambush interview, Matibag said initial information showed that the individual used an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) catcher to obtain the personal and credit information of the public to conduct scams.

“Umiikot siya sa Cavite. Sinundan natin from sa Pasay papunta ng Cavite, sa General Trias at nahuli nga natin. Nakasay nga sa sasakyan ‘yung IMSI catcher,” Matibag said.

(He was moving around Cavite. We tracked him from Pasay to Cavite, to General Trias, and we eventually caught them. The IMSI catcher was inside the vehicle.)

He said the device is undergoing forensic examination.

According to the bureau director, the IMSI catcher is able to mimic cell towers.

“Itong IMSI catcher… ito ‘yung kumokopya na parang signal siya ng tower kung saan pumapasok ‘yung cellphone, signal ng cellphone, na maaring gamitin ito para kunin ‘yung information, kunin ‘yung data ng credit card ninyo, na ginagamit ito pang scam,” he said.

(This IMSI catcher copies the signal from the tower where cellphone signals enter. It can potentially be used to obtain your information, including your credit card data, which can then be used for scams.)

He said the device also allows its users to send text blasts.

Matibag said the NBI will file complaints against the foreigner for financial fraud and violation of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, among others.

“We want to warn the public na 'wag mag-rely doon sa mga nakukuhang message kung kahina-hinala ito at hindi natin alam ‘yung number,” he said.

(We want to warn the public not to rely on messages they receive if they seem suspicious and we do not recognize the number.)

“Minsan nga, dahil itong katulad ng IMSI catcher na ito, pwedeng gamitin na parang number na akala ko kakilala pero ginagamit ito para magkaroon ng pagkakataon na lokohin ‘yung mg akababayan ,” he said.

(Sometimes, because of devices like this IMSI catcher, a number can appear to be from someone you know, but it can be used to create an opportunity to deceive our fellow Filipinos.) —AOL, GMA News