NBI: Several Chinese individuals resort to bribery, fraud amid Pogo ban

The National Bureau of Investigation arrested seven Chinese individuals for allegedly committing credit card fraud and bribing its agents. (Photo from the NBI)

MANILA, Philippines — Several Chinese individuals have resorted to bribery and credit card fraud following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s order to ban Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogo), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Jaime Santiago said in a press conference on Tuesday.

“Because of the pronouncement that Pogo is already banned effective immediately, they [Chinese individuals] looked for ways and means to hide their money so they could bring it out of the country,” Santiago said, speaking partly in Filipino.

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The NBI-Cybercrime Division on Tuesday reported that seven Chinese individuals were arrested in Parañaque City and Quezon City for credit card fraud and bribing authorities.

According to Santiago, the operation stemmed from complaints about vishing, smishing, phishing, and click-baiting, which allowed them illegal access to credit cards.

Authorities said the Chinese individuals cashed out by using the credit cards of their victims, which were mostly offshore accounts. They would then give their accomplices 20% of the money upon cash conversion.

The NBI conducted an entrapment operation on Saturday in Parañaque City, resulting in the arrest of Sun Jie and Lee Ching Ho.

The NBI said Sun even tried to bribe its agents with P1.5 million to drop the charges against them.

They were charged with violating the Access Devices Regulation Act and Article 212 of the Revised Penal Code or the Corruption of Public Officials.

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The NBI conducted another entrapment operation in Quezon City. It stemmed from reports that bribery would happen at the parking lot of the NBI office in the city.

During the operation, a Chinese individual who handed out the money to the agents in exchange for the arrested accomplices was arrested. Their cohorts in the car were also nabbed.

Three unlicensed handguns and a military-grade smoke grenade were also found inside their vehicle.

The suspects were charged with corrupting public officials under the Revised Penal Code and the Comprehensive Firearm and Ammunition Act.