12 more Chinese nationals nabbed for illegal online gambling in Pampanga

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has arrested another 12 Chinese nationals allegedly involved in illegal online gambling in Pampanga.

Armed with a Tarlac court-issued search warrant, operatives raided the house of the alleged illegal online gambling operators in Trinidad Village, Barangay Calibutbut, Bacolor, Pampanga, on December 11, the NBI said Thursday.

The arrest stemmed from an intelligence report received by the NBI Cybercrime Division on November 29 concerning such illegal activities purportedly run without a license from the government.

The arrested individuals were identified as Chen Ya Ting, Chen Chengang, Sun Qiao Yan, Wei Bing, Lei Shi Feng, Gao Cheng Feng, Lin Jin, Wang Hai Tao, Wu Cheng Pin, Ruan Cheng Hui, Gao Fei and Chen Long Xi, the NBI said.

One target, identified as Chen Hao Ran, was not in the area at the time of the operation, it added.

Seized during the raid were 15 mobile phone devices, 11 desktop computers, two laptop computers, two routers and two modem enhancers.

The operatives and technical agents of the NBI's Digital Forensic Laboratory positively identified the devices as being used in communicating with clients, maintenance, and accounting of funds, the NBI said.

The  arrested foreigners face charges for violation of Presidential Decree No. 1602, which prescribes stiffer penalties in illegal gambling, in relation with the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

Their apprehension comes a week after 15 Chinese nationals similarly accused of running illegal online gambling activities fell to authorities in separate operations in Pampanga and Manila.  —KBK, GMA News