78 Chinese, Taiwanese nabbed in Davao City fraud raids

MANILA, Philippines—Seventy-eight Chinese and Taiwanese suspected of being members of an international financial fraud syndicate  were arrested in simultaneous raids in Davao City, police said Thursday.

The suspects, 47 males and 31 females,  were arrested during separate raids on three villages in Davao City around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, said Davao City police director Senior Superintendent Ronald dela Rosa.

He said six police officers from the Taiwan Criminal Investigation Bureau joined the raids as observers. The 78 will face charges of violating Republic Act 8484, or the Access Devices Regulation Act, and Section 315 of the Revised Penal Code, he said.

Several electronic devices were also confiscated, said Dela Rosa.

The simultaneous raids were conducted in Valgozon Compound, Velazco Subdivision, Bangkal, Davao City; Block 3 Lot 24 corner Ilang ilang and Santan streets, Villa Josefina Village, Matina, Davao City; and at 18 Dahlia Circle-Loops streets, Ladislawa Village, Buhangin, Davao City.