63 foreigners nabbed in Cebu for cyberhacking, extortion

CEBU CITY, Philippines — At least 63 foreigners, mostly Taiwanese and Chinese nationals, were arrested in series of raids in Cebu City on Tuesday afternoon.

Senior Supt. Rey Lyndon Lawas, acting directorial staff chief of the Police Regional Office (PRO 7), said in a local television report that the suspects were part of an international syndicate, which have been engaged in cyber hacking and blackmailed their victims from their own countries to extort huge amounts of money.

The victims were based in Taiwan and mainland China, Lawas said.

Authorities in Taiwan reportedly coordinated with the police in the country after the victims complained in Taiwan and subsequent investigation showed that the suspects were based in Cebu City.

After a month-long surveillance operation, local police traced the suspects in Cebu City and after securing the search warrants from Cebu RTC Branch 10 Judge Soliver Peras, the different units from PRO 7, including the Regional Intelligence Division (RID 7), in coordination with the Bureau of Immigration, conducted the raid in at least three areas in Cebu City.

At least 26 foreigners were arrested in Casals Village in Mabolo; 21 foreigners in Sunny Hills in Talamban; and another 16 foreigners in Tigbao, Talamban. Operations would continue in four other areas, police said.

Seized during the raids were several computers, telephone and internet modems and cellular phones.

They will face violation of Republic Act 8484 or the Access Devices Regulation Act. SFM