“The PNP has made significant gains in thwarting cyber offenders, especially the transnational organized criminal groups, from making the Philippines a sanctuary for their criminal operations,” said PNP Chief Police General Debold M Sinas after 5 Korean nationals and 4 Filipinos, allegedly engaged in fraudulent schemes through hacking and phishing, were arrested by police authorities on Monday.
Citing the report from the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Sinas disclosed that the arrest of the 9 suspects stemmed from three separate warrants of arrests for Violation of R.A. No. 8484 (Access Devices Regulation Act of 1998) as amended by R.A. No.11449 (An Act Providing for Additional Prohibitions to and Increasing Penalties for Violations of RA 8484 issued by Presiding Judge Benigno C Abila, of RTC Branch 117, Third Judicial Region, Angeles City, Pampanga and implemented by joint operating Units of CIDG RFU NCR (Lead), CIDG CFU Angeles (support) and CIB ACPO on April 12, 2021, in Angeles City, Pampanga.
LEE SUNGBO aKa SEVEN, male, Korean National was arrested at Pulu Amsic Subd. Brgy Amsic, Angeles City, Pampanga by virtue of Search Warrant Nr. 21-527.
Prior to the implementation of the Search Warrant, the service firearm of his private Security Guard JOHN MICHAEL A DIMAAMPAO was temporarily seized for verification with details as One (1) Unit Cal.38 with Serial No. 156993 loaded with three (3) pcs. live ammunition for Cal. 38.
Said operation also led to confiscation of Eleven (11) pcs of TM (Touch Mobile) sim cards; Seven (7) pcs of Cellphones; One (1) Unit Acer Laptop; One (1) Unit RYZEN CPU desktop; Three (3) pieces SD card; One (1) piece Cruzer Flash Drives; Eleven (11) pieces Assorted bank/payment cards; One (1) Unit Bill Counter; One (1) piece Keyboard; two (2) Unit Samsung Monitor; and Assorted peripherals and remotes from LEE SUNGBO.
Meanwhile, YOENSU YOON, Korean National, JUNGUK LEE, Korean National, ALYSSA PAYABYAB LEE, Filipino, female, MAIKO DE LUNA NATIVIDAD, Filipino, male, JOHN PATRICK SOTTO GONZALES, Filipino, male and BONG BAJA GARCIA, Filipino, male were arrested on the said day at Luisa Street, Hensonville Court Subdivision, Brgy Malabanias, Angeles City, Pampanga by virtue of Search Warrant Nr. 21-528.
Recovered from the possession of the suspects were One (1) box of assorted sim cards; Fourteen (14) units of Assorted Computer, Desktop and Laptops; Twelve (12) pcs of Cellphones with attached improvised scheming device; One (1) bundle of Assorted Cellphones; One (1) box of Assorted Computer Cables; Six (6) units of Internet Connectivity Devices; One (1) unit External Drive; Five (5) units Flash Drives; Four (4) pcs of Credit Cards; and Twenty four (24) pcs of notebooks with written account details.
On the other hand, LEE JAEHUN, Korean National, male and SONG GIL SUNG, Korean National, male, were arrested at Block 16, Lot 20, Pulu Amsic Drive, Pulu Amsic Subd., Brgy., Amsic, Angeles City, Pampanga by virtue of Search Warrant Nr. 21-529.
Moreover, the service firearms of their security guard Arnel Cariaga was likewise temporary seized for verification described as One (1) unit Arsmcor 12gauge Shotgun w/SN: 957780; and One (1) unit Armscor Cal.38 revolver w/031225.
Recovered from the possession of the suspects were Three (3) Units Computer Laptop; Two (2) pieces of Tablets; Seven (7) pcs. assorted Cellphones; Twenty three (23) pcs. assorted Mini SD Cards; Two (2) pcs. USB Connector; Two (2) pcs. OTP Generator; One (1) pc Extension Router; and One (1) unit Computer LED Monitor.
“The arrested persons are engaged in fraudulent activities through hacking and phishing, victimizing mostly Korean Nationals and US Citizens who are widely known as online banking/transaction users. These schemes which constitute economic sabotage are one of the national security concerns of the PNP CIDG. These suspects have allegedly amassed multi million pesos from illicit activities exploiting technology advances”, Sinas added.
The arrested suspects were brought to CIDG Angeles CFU for documentation and temporary custody prior to the filing of the criminal charges in court. (PNP-PIO)
