A rescue operation was conducted after a woman asked help from the authorities, citing she has not been allowed to get out of her workstation in Mandaue City for quite a long time. 

Operatives from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Mandaue City Field Unit, Regional Special Operations Team (RSOT), Mandaue City Police Station 1, City Intelligence Unit Mandaue City Police Office, Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit (RACU) 7, and officers from the Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWD) Mandaue City rescued a 23-year-old woman inside a subdivision in Barangay Alang-Alang, Mandaue City.

The woman is said to be from Barangay Kasambagan, Cebu City.

She reportedly performs online task against her will work and that her personal documents are kept by her employer.

According to Police Lieutenant Colonel Jerick Filosopo, CIDG Provincial Field Unit chief, they found 40 cellular phones, a tablet, 12 computer units, and another nine computer desktop units during the rescue operation.

CIDG 7 sought assistance from the Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) to verify whether the area is used as a scam hub based on pieces of evidence up for forensic examination. 

“Sa nakikita namin it’s a scam hub kasi may mga presence ng computers, digital equipment, so sa assessment namin it's a scam hub pero we will request the assistance from the ACG to verify that kasi ipapa-forensic din namin yung mga ano [ebidensya],” according to Filosopo.

At least nine Chinese-looking suspects were arrested during the operation.

The foreigners failed to present proper, legitimate documents.  CIDG has coordinated with the Bureau of Immigration on the matter.

The suspects are ages 30 years old to 41 years old, who failed to present their passports.

Further, it was learned that four suspects were injured after they tried to evade arrest by reportedly jumping out of the window.

Based on information provided by the police, the Chinese-looking foreigners have been operating in Mandaue City for five months already. 

“There's a certain expectation kasi merong information na kaming natanggap, base din doon sa complaint ng ni-rescue natin so meron kaming certain expectation na scam hub siya but na-verify na lang natin doon pagpasok,” Filosofo.

However, the authorities could not determine the particular scam operation performed by the suspects.

Filosofo said they will apply for a search warrant to be able to check on the digital equipment.

The foreigners have not been reportedly cooperative with the authorities upon questioning.

Further, it was learned that the suspects have identification cards with Filipino names that will also be the subject of an investigation to establish their identities.

Charges for human trafficking will be filed by the police against the suspects.

Police urged the public to report immediately any suspicious activities in their area.

As for property owners, they are requested to stay vigilant especially in dealing with persons interested in renting or buying their property.