This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.
Authorities implement search warrants to raid the company for alleged violation of the cybercrime act
PAMPANGA, Philippines – Eighty four Filipinos working in an alleged love scam hub were rescued by Philippine authorities on Friday night, September 20.
The Filipinos were rescued in an alleged scam hub posing as a small-scale business process outsourcing (BPO) company in Angeles City, Pampanga.
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Pampanga District Office implemented a search warrant issued by Angeles City, Pampanga Regional Trial Court Branch 61 Presiding Judge April Joy Magsayo-Aguila against occupants of FXTM USDT Forex Trading at Living Rock Building in Barangay Salapungan.
The warrants were issued over alleged violations of Republic Act No. 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act. According to the business clearance issued by the barangay, the BPO is named FMD Non-Voices Outsourcing Services, owned by a certain Irene dela Cruz Vergara.
The NBI seized boxes of SIM cards, mobile phones, computers, and various documents.
Barangay Salapungan chief Rey Malig, who served as a witness during the operation, said the 84 Filipinos were brought to the NBI headquarters at Clark Freeport. No foreign nationals were caught in the raid.
“Ali ya man POGO yan, mig fall yang cybercrime. Deng NBI ilang mig operate kanita, 4th floor ya mu. Detang egana-ganang confiscated items dela da la rin (That is not a POGO, it falls under cybercrime. The NBI are the ones who operated the raid, just on the fourth floor. All confiscated items were also brought there),” Malig told Rappler in Kapampangan on Saturday, September 21.
Angeles City chief adviser IC Calaguas also said that there are no Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) in their city. He added that the city government will release an official statement once all relevant information has been received.
“It is not a POGO. It is a love scam owned and ran by a Filipino, based on the initial report. We have not been able to issue an official statement yet because we don’t have the full information from the NBI. All the info from NBI is pending. So, the good thing is, it is not POGO,” Calaguas said in a mix of English and Kapampangan.
Rappler reached out to the NBI for more information about the operation. We will update this story once we receive their response. – Rappler.com
