fraud – Page 3 – Author Carlo Carrasco

Mini-hospital found inside Parañaque City condominium unit, Chinese doctor and assistant arrested

March 11, 2025March 2, 2025carlocarrasco

Recently in Parañaque City, local authorities arrested a Chinese doctor and an assistant after discovering a condominium unit that was converted into a mini-hospital with medical equipment, several medical products and even a few patients, according to a GMA Network news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA News report. Some parts in boldface…

Authorities arrested a Chinese doctor allegedly running a mini hospital in a condominium in Barangay Tambo, Parañaque City.

The doctor was identified only as Dr. Lee, according to a report on Unang Balita on Wednesday.

The suspect also allegedly sells medicines not registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Also arrested was the doctor’s assistant.

Police found a hospital bed, medicines, and equipment used for critical operations inside the unit.

Two patients were also at the alleged mini hospital at the time the police came in. They were transferred to a legitimate hospital.

The suspects will face charges of violation of the FDA Act of 2009 and the Medical Act of 1959. The doctor did not give any statement.

Police said they will look into whether the mini hospital caters to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque, are you concerned that there could be a lot more Chinese nationals doing something illegal behind closed doors inside rented units within your local community? Did you notice a Chinese national bringing in unusual things into the local community over the past three months?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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NBI arrests 20 foreigners in Parañaque City for illegal POGO operation

March 4, 2025March 1, 2025carlocarrasco

Recently in Parañaque City, elements of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested twenty foreigners who were caught operating a Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) at an Aseana City building, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Friday announced the arrest of 20 foreign nationals operating an illegal Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) hub in Parañaque City.

In a statement on Friday, the NBI said the suspects were arrested in an operation on Feb. 25 at Aseana 3, West Tower, 8912 Avenue, following a complaint of the wife of a Chinese national working for a POGO company operating under the trade name “LWE.”

She alleged that her husband, who worked as a customer service representative, was being held against his will by his employers.

During the operation, agents of the NBI Special Task Force uncovered a fully operational online scam hub.

The arrested foreigners have been charged before the city prosecutor’s office for violating Section 4(b)(1) (Social Engineering Schemes) of Republic Act (RA) 12010, or the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act (AFASA) in relation to RA 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque, are you concerned that there could be a lot more POGOs and scam hubs operating secretly at the Aseana City buildings? What do you think makes Parañaque an attractive spot for scam operations and POGOs involving foreigners?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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PAOCC files cases against many foreign nationals involved in Parañaque City scam hub

March 3, 2025February 25, 2025carlocarrasco

In relation with the big raid on an office build in Parañaque City that resulted in the apprehension of hundreds of suspects, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) announced that it has filed charges against several foreign nationals who were among the many suspects arrested, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…

Charges of qualified human trafficking were filed by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) against 20 foreign nationals apprehended in the Feb. 20 raid of a scam hub in Parañaque City.

PAOCC Executive Director Gilbert Cruz said the raided Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub at the ATI building, in front of the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX), ran investment and love scams using foreign nationals.

A total of 435 POGO workers, including 148 foreign nationals, were arrested at the Chinese-run hub.

“We conducted the inquest for the foreign nationals operating the POGO hub here at PITX and we have filed charges against 20 of them,” Cruz said in an interview.

“Qualified trafficking, because you can clearly see that they facilitated the employment of individuals in this POGO hub to work here for a long time.”

Cruz said the scam hub also had several other violations, including the lack of the necessary permits to operate.

Among the complainants were three Vietnamese women.

“These Vietnamese women were the models they used to attract investors and then after you fall in love, that’s it, they will invite you to invest in cryptocurrency,” Cruz said.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque, do you think the presence of illegal POGOs having hundreds of employees – both locals and foreigners – make the city look bad? Do you consider Parañaque City a hot spot of criminal activities involving Chinese nationals and other foreigners? Do you think that a lot of bad money – money sourced from scams and illegal means – made its way into Parañaque’s local economy?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Office building in Parañaque City raided, hundreds of employees arrested

February 22, 2025February 22, 2025carlocarrasco

Very recently in the City of Parañaque, a team of local law enforcers raided an office building in the Bay Area resulting in hundreds of suspected Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) employees – including 146 foreigners – getting arrested, according to a GMA Network news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA news report. Some parts in boldface…

Authorities arrested 453 illegal POGO employees in a raid in an office building in the Bay Area of Parañaque City on Thursday.

Operatives from the PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Bureau of Immigration (BI), Department of Justice Office of Cybercrime (DOJ OOC) and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) enforced an arrest warrant against a Chinese national for fraud.

An Immigration Mission Order was also implemented as the subject is an employee of suspected POGO that has been under surveillance for the past months.

A total of 453 employees including 146 foreigners, mostly Chinese, were caught in front of their computers on the three floors of the building believed to be operating illegal offshore gaming and scamming activities.

“Dalawang taon na raw silang nag-o-operate and they never stopped. Galing daw sila ng ASEANA. Nung medyo uminit daw doon, lumipat daw sila dito,” PAOCC Spokesperson Director Winston Casio told GMA Integrated News.

Initial review of computer screens and interviews with Filipino employees revealed the different scams employed in the alleged POGO.

“Bawat floor, iba-ibang scam. Sa fifth floor at seventh floor, stock investment scam. Pero ang pinagkaiba dito sa seventh floor, may spamming na nagaganap using a Hong Kong mobile,” DOJ OOC Head Agent Innah Protacio-Ladislao said.

“Sa sixth floor is online betting scam. Particularly, target nila is Indian. Sa sixth floor, Filipino ang employees,” Protacio-Ladislao added.

Scripts for scamming were also found in workstations.

Authorities recovered hundreds of computers, laptops, smartphones, pre-registered SIM cards and other gadgets. The said items will be examined and will undergo digital forensics.

Based on information gathered, local authorities issued a closure order on the POGO after it was raided before.

It is now operating under a new name with a Mayor’s permit, business license and a barangay permit. These will form part of the investigation.

“Dapat kasi before they issue yung permits nila, yung sa barangay, yung sa city hall, dapat they do yung talagang religious inspection of the establishment,” PAOCC Executive Director Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz said.

“Kung ang permit nila is entertainment, are they really indulging yung kumpanya nila sa entertainment? O baka naman scamming yan tulad ng nangyayari dito?” Cruz added.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque, do you think the City Government is ignoring the presence of POGOs within its jurisdiction? Do you think the Parañaque City Government and barangays should be more careful with reviewing business applications and ensure that no new POGOs will sprout?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Crime syndicates may have infiltrated government agencies

February 18, 2025February 9, 2025carlocarrasco

In connection with the recent raid on a particular travel and consultancy firm that was allegedly involved with the issuance of fake Philippine government documents, it seems that crime syndicates may have infiltrated certain agencies of the government, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news article of the PNA. Some parts in boldface…

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian warned that criminal syndicates may have infiltrated key government agencies following the recent raid on a travel and consultancy firm that allegedly facilitated the issuance of fraudulent Philippine government documents.

“The recent raid strengthens our suspicion that criminal syndicates have infiltrated agencies such as the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Bureau of Immigration, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and Philippine National Police (PNP),” Gatchalian said in a statement on Friday.

This came after members of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) found birth and marriage certificates and a passport with a foreign national’s photo but a Filipino name during a raid at JRB Travel and Consultancy Services Inc. based in Intramuros, Manila on Wednesday.

Gatchalian, who has filed a bill to expand Philippine Statistics Authority’s (PSA) authority and impose penalties on civil registrars involved in fraudulent registrations, urged law enforcement to intensify efforts in dismantling these illegal networks.

He cited cases wherein individuals reported paying large sums to the travel agency to secure the release of their detained partners, with one complainant claiming to have paid PHP900,000 to free her fiancé and another paid PHP1.1 million for her husband’s release after a Jan. 17 raid in a Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO) center in Parañaque City.

In a press conference on Thursday, PAOCC Executive Director Gilberto Cruz described the raided travel agency as the “missing link” in the Senate’s ongoing investigation on POGOs.

He said the firm enabled foreigners to obtain government-issued documents, allowing them to stay in the country despite crackdowns on POGOs.

Aside from document forgery, Cruz revealed that personnel of the travel agency also impersonated PAOCC personnel to extort money.

Cruz, however, clarified that no actual PAOCC officers were involved in the scheme.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the national authorities will be able to find and arrest all the criminal elements who infiltrated government agencies? Do you think the law enforcers can put a stop on the forgery of government documents?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Cybercrime complaints tripled in 2024, victims lost almost P200 million

February 11, 2025February 2, 2025carlocarrasco

Was there anyone in your local community who got scammed many times last year? Based on the findings of the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), cybercrime complaints more than tripled in 2024 and victims lost almost P200 million as well, according to a news article by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news article of the PNA. Some parts in boldface…

The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) on Friday said there were a total of 10,004 cybercrime complaints filed with their office in 2024, more than three times the 3,317 complaints in 2023.

In a statement Friday, CICC Executive Director Undersecretary Alexander Ramos said the total amount lost by cybercrime victims reached almost PHP198 million last year alone.

He attributed the exponential increase in the number of complaints to the growing awareness of the public on cybercrimes and their willingness to report.

“In previous years, people were not aware that they were being scammed and many were not also aware of where to file their complaints,” Ramos said.

Of the total, around 3,534 complaints, or 35 percent were consumer fraud, these include non-delivery of goods or services and fake advertisements.

On the other hand, there were 3,242 online fraud complaints, or 32 percent of the total. This includes financial fraud, impersonation, job scams, investment scams, and love scams.

Other types of complaints were unsolicited communication, illegal access, identity theft, sexual cybercrimes, phishing, and cyberlibel.

He added that GCash was the top wallet used by victims of consumer fraud, online fraud, and phishing, with a total loss of PHP76.49 million to its users.

Other financial platforms used by victims were BPI with PHP28.47 million losses, GoTyme with PHP15.38 million, and PayMaya with PHP13.99 million.

He called on victims of scams to call the government’s toll-free hotline at 1326.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Were you scammed in 2024? Do you think that banks and e-wallet companies should enhance security of their respective apps to protect their users from the cyber criminals and scammers? Do you personally know anyone who lost a lot of money because he or she got scammed while using GCash?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Several Chinese nationals arrested in Parañaque City for scamming, forgery, fraud and other violations

November 9, 2024October 31, 2024carlocarrasco

Recently in the city of Parañaque, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested several Chinese nationals who were caught doing scamming operations at the Casiana Residences and one of the suspects even tried bribing the law enforcers to release them, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

Eighteen Chinese nationals have been arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for operating a suspected online scam hub at the Casiana Residences in Paranaque City.

One of those arrested, who was suspected to be the group’s leader, attempted to bribe the NBI operatives of P5.1 million for their release, NBI Director Jaime B. Santiago said.

Director Santiago on Wednesday, Oct. 30, presented to the media the suspects, including their arrested leader Hou Jusen.

He said the two Filipino companions of Hou will be used as state witnesses. They were not identified.

The 17 other Chinese nationals were identified as Zhao Jianjin, Huang Cheng Chi, Huang Bi Ying, Li Hui Juan, Lengxin Yu, Liu Xing Rong, Chen Zihao, Zhou You Liang, Chen Xing, Chen Qing Gang, Huang Zhixon, Riu Chen, Mao Jing Hang, Liu Xuan Wu, Wang Wen Bin, Yan Xiao Hong, and Yang Yun.

“Last night (Oct. 29) nagswoop down ang aming mga ahente at nakahuli nga ng labingpito na Chinese while actually engaged in scamming activities (Last night our agents swooped down at the illegal operation and arrested 17 Chinese while actually engaged in scamming activities),” Santiago said.

He said the operation was conducted by the NBI Cybercrime Division (CCD) and Special Task Force (STF) operatives who served a Warrant to Search, Seize and Examine Computer Data (WSSECD) issued by the Paranaque City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 258.

“Na-seize namin ‘yung mga involved na gadgets, electronic devices (We seized their gadgets and electronic devices),” said NBI-CCD Chief Jeremy C. Lotoc.

Lotoc observed that the scam hub is massive “‘yung kanilang crypto transactions (they have massive crypto transactions).”

He said the operatives discovered social engineering scheme scripts, money muling activities, crypto investment activity, and romance scams.

The 18 arrested Chinese nationals were presented for inquest after their arrest. Hou was charged with corruption of public officials, falsification of public documents, and violating the Anti-Alias Law, Lotoc said.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque, are you concerned that there could be a lot of Chinese nationals living in your local community secretly doing a scamming operation? How many Chinese nationals are living in your local community right now?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Small groups from POGOs moving into residential areas

October 25, 2024October 16, 2024carlocarrasco

The nationwide ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) is arguably working. That being said, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) stated that the POGOs have been forming smaller groups which have moved into residential areas to secretly operate, according to a GMA Network news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA news report. Some parts in boldface…

Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) appear to be trying to evade the authorities by forming smaller groups and setting up in residential areas, the National Bureau of Investigation said amid a raid on a group of alleged scammers.

In a report by John Consulta on 24 Oras on Tuesday, 17 foreigners were arrested in the raid on a residential unit in Makati City. They were caught at their workstations for alleged scamming activities, including love scams and crypto scams.

“Pag nakakuha sila ng pool of information, magko-conduct sila ng background investigation kung sino ang target nila. Pag nakita nila yung pattern, yung character, yung hobby, yung daily activities at the same time yung longings ng kanilang victims, ie-engage nila through social engineering,” said National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Cybercrime Division Chief Jeremy Lotoc.

(When they get a pool of information, they will conduct a background investigation on their target. When they see the pattern, the character, the hobby, the daily activities, and at the same time the longings of their victims, they will engage through social engineering.)

“Merong hacker, merong buyer ng data. May nakita kaming program-coded script na pwede magamit to access other systems without the authority nor consent of the system owner we assume meron silang activity in terms of hacking,” Lotoc added.

(There is a hacker, and there is a buyer of data. We found a program-coded script that can be used to access other systems without the authority or consent of the system owner. We assume they have activity in terms of hacking.)

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said they are from big Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) companies.

“Yung malalaking POGO, nag-group sila into smaller group, nag-o-occupy ng residential units, apartments, para hindi mahalata na POGO, yun pa rin. To continue their scamming activities,” said NBI Director Jimmy Santiago.

(These big POGOs form smaller groups and occupy residential units so that they can’t be detected. Then they continue their scamming activities.)

The NBI is already examining the computers to obtain the details of their victims, while an inquest has already been conducted on those arrested and they are facing online fraud complaints and the violation of the Cybercrime Prevention Act.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Are you concerned that there could be these small POGO-related units secretly operating within the residential communities near you? Has there been a raid in your local community in connection with POGOs, scamming and hacking?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Globe warns customers about fraudsters calling them while pretending to be officials of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC)

October 8, 2024September 30, 2024carlocarrasco

There is an ongoing trend here in the Philippines in which fraudsters/scammers have been calling up customers pretending to be officials of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) with the intention to extort money from them. Already there have been victims and telecommunication giant Globe recently warned the public about the trend and advised them not to be fooled by the fraudsters, according to a GMA Network news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA news article. Some parts in boldface…

Ayala-led Globe Telecom Inc. on Monday warned customers against a new vishing or voice phishing scam, where fraudsters call victims pretending to be officials of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).

According to Globe, scammers call victims claiming that their number had been linked to illegal activities, and would then extort money from them with threats of arrest if they do not cooperate.

“Criminals prey on our natural respect for authority, using it as a weapon to deceive and manipulate. This is what we see in this new scam modus, where fraudsters pretend to be NTC officials,” Globe chief information security officer Anton Bonifacio said in an emailed statement.

“We call on our customers to be very vigilant and do not fall victim to these scammers,” he said.

Globe also urged its customers to be wary of unsolicited calls, refrain from giving out personal information or financial details over the phone, and report suspicious calls to the authorities.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think that local authorities will be able to track down the scammers and arrest them? Were there many members of your local community who received calls from people claiming to be officials of the NTC?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Alice Guo and five others charged for falsification, obstruction of justice and more

October 6, 2024October 4, 2024carlocarrasco

Former Bamban mayor Alice Guo (AKA Guo Hua Ping) and five others have been formally charged by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for falsification by a notary public, the use of falsified documents, perjury, and obstruction of justice, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Thursday filed additional criminal charges before the Department of Justice (DOJ) against former Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo and five others over the irregularities in her filing of a sworn counter-affidavit in another case.

Named respondents were Guo, lawyer Elmer Galicia, Dante Catapay, Cheryl Medina, Catherine Salazar, and Geraldine Pepito.

“The cases we filed against them are falsification by a notary public, use of falsified documents, perjury, and obstruction of justice,” NBI Director Jaime Santiago said in a press briefing.

The charges arose from a motion to re-open filed by Guo’s lawyers in a separate charge for qualified trafficking against her.

Legislators concluded that Guo could not have signed the motion before the notary as she had already fled the country by that time.

NBI Chief Fraud and Financial Crimes Division and Task Force Alice Guo head Palmer Mallari said the investigation involved original documents from before and after Guo slipped out of the country.

“We collected sample signatures on original documents before the Bamban municipality as prior sample specimen signatures. We also collected sample specimen signatures purportedly signed subsequent to the days of the counter affidavit. This is for purposes of submitting that to our document division,” Mallari said.

“After the examination of our QDD (NBI- Questioned Documents Division), it was proven that the sample signatures appearing on all those documents as compared to the supposed signature appearing on the CA were not written by one and the same person,” he said.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said they would most likely pursue the administrative complaint before the Supreme Court (SC) against Galicia, the notary public.

“Dapat lang (Absolutely), we should pursue (the complaint),” he said.

Santiago, a retired lower court judge also said the claims made during the legislative inquiries by Guo’s staff that they had prepared signed “last pages” meant to be attached to filings on behalf of the dismissed mayor “is unacceptable.”

“No, that’s irregular. The affidavit should be signed in the presence of the notary public,” he said.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think Alice Guo and the others who got charged can still prove their innocence? Are many people in your local community aware that the falsification of signatures on documents for public notary is a serious crime?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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