26/05/2026
๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐, ๐๐๐-๐๐๐, ๐๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐, ๐๐๐-๐๐๐ฌ๐ข๐ ๐๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ง๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ง๐ฏ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐ฎ๐; ๐
๐จ๐ซ๐๐ข๐ ๐ง๐๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ฌ๐ฌ, ๐๐ ๐๐ญ๐ก๐๐ซ๐ฌ ๐๐ซ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐
On May 20, 2026, the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP ACG), together with the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), Department of Justice Office of Cybercrime (DOJ-OOC), and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and Barangay San Antonio, Pasig City, implemented a Warrant to Search, Seize, and Examine Computer Data (WSSECD) against individuals involved in a large-scale online investment scam that resulted in the arrest of 63 individuals, including a 55-year-old foreign national, alias โBoss,โ who was identified as the mastermind of the operation.
The operation stemmed from complaints filed by several victims who reported being deceived into investing money after being enticed by online advertisements and contacted by individuals posing as trading assistants and investment advisers.
During the implementation of WSSECD, operatives discovered an organized scheme involving marketing personnel, telesales agents, and retention agents who are tasked to persuade victims to invest in XTRADE, an online trading or investment platform, through scripted communications using messaging apps and various online platforms.
Investigation revealed that the suspects use fake identities, manipulated victims into continuously depositing money, and controlled withdrawal requests to create the illusion of legitimate trading activities.
Furthermore, operatives discovered that the group falsely represented itself as a call center and trading-related company. However, verification revealed that the KLSJ Call Center Services and XTRADE were not registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and had no authority to solicit investments or engage in securities-related activities.
All arrested suspects are facing charges for violations of Section 4 (a) (5) Misuse of devices, Section 4 (b) (2) Computer-related Fraud, Section 5 (a) Aiding or Abetting in the Commission of Cybercrime of RA No. 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012), Section 11 of RA No. 11765 (An Act Affording More Protection to Consumers of Financial Products and Services), Section 8. Requirement of Registration of Securities, Section 26 Fraudulent Transactions, Section 28 Registration of Brokers, Dealers, Salesmen and Associated Persons of RA No. 8799 (The Securities Regulation Code), Section 4 (b) (2) of RA No. 12010 (Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act) and Article 178 (Using fictitious names and concealing true name) of the Revised Penal Code.
Upon further validation, operatives discovered that the foreign boss has a pending warrant of arrest issued by the Pasig City Regional Trial Court (RTC) for seventy (70) counts of violation of Section 254 of RA No. 8424, as amended by Republic Act No. 10963 (National Internal Revenue Code), and seventy (70) counts of violation of Section 255 of the same law, with recommended bail fixed at Php60,000.00 per count, amounting to a total bail of Php8,400,000.00.
The ACG operatives subsequently implemented the said warrant of arrest against the foreign boss at the ACG Custodial Facility on May 25, 2026.
This operation supports the directive of Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr., Chief of the PNP, to ensure the full and effective enforcement of anti-cybercrime laws and the prompt prosecution of offenders.
Police Major General Wilson C Asueta, Director of the PNP ACG, lauded the operatives for their successful and coordinated efforts. He stated, โThis operation underscores our firm commitment to unmasking cybercriminals and protecting the public from online fraud and scams. We urge everyone to remain vigilant and to report any information related to illegal online activities to the nearest PNP ACG office for prompt and appropriate action.โ
