Philippine authorities arrested 14 foreign nationals in a raid on a villa in Clark, Pampanga, for allegedly operating an international scam hub that targeted victims in India and other countries, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said.

Agents from the National Bureau of Investigation – National Capital Region served a digital warrant and stormed the property after weeks of surveillance and case buildup, officials said.

Authorities said the suspects are Indian nationals allegedly involved in social engineering schemes, including love scams, cryptocurrency scams and so-called “digital arrest” scams targeting vulnerable individuals.

“Most of their victims are vulnerables, yung mga retirees, mga tao na naghahanap ng relationship online. Kinoconvince nilang magclick ng mga phishing links, mag open ng mga bank accounts then once na makapagopen na sila, kukunin ang kanilang sensitive information even the OTPs, account numbers,” John Bacho, agent on case at NBI-NCR, said.

Investigators said the operation followed about two months of monitoring before authorities verified the alleged illegal activities.

“Nagsagawa kami ng matyagang surveillance at case build up sa loob ng 2 buwan. At nang maverify namin ang kanilang ginagawang iligal, nagapply kami ng digital warrant at sa bisa nito ay pinasok namin ang kanilang scam hub,” Atty. Joel Tovera, regional director of NBI-NCR, said.

Authorities seized computers, routers, mobile phones and other electronic devices believed to have been used in the alleged scam operations.

The NBI said the group’s activities in the Philippines may have started as early as 2022 and that losses attributed to the operation have exceeded one billion pesos.

“This will also serve as a warning doon sa mga foreign nationals na gusto pumunta dito sa Pilipinas at dito gagawa ng kalokohan, dito gumawa ng kanilang iligal na Gawain, di natin papayagan,” NBI Director Atty. Melvin Matibag said.

Authorities said the suspects are facing multiple complaints. No statement has been issued by the foreign nationals as of press time.

(with reports from Balitanghali)