Cebu city police head warns: Foreigners involved in extortion ‘all over the country’

CEBU, Philippines - The operation of the 24 Taiwanese nationals who were arrested in Guadalupe, Cebu City for allegedly preying on their own countrymen is not new in the country, said Cebu City Police Office director Joel Doria.

Doria said the modus operandi employed by the foreign suspects also happened in other parts of the country, particularly in Manila.

“Yung mga Taiwanese kasi na nahuli kahapon (Monday), just like in Manila, just like all over the country, ang target nila basically sa mainland China at Taiwan. Actually, kahit nasa Manila, meron ganoong nahuhuli na incident,” Doria said.

Last Monday, agents of the National Bureau of Investigation-7, together with Taiwanese police, raided a five-story house along Tupas Street, Buena Hills in Barangay Guadalupe where the Taiwanese nationals were renting.

The authorities were armed with a search warrant when they entered the house owned by Avelina Vidovic and arrested the suspects for alleged online fraud, targeting retired officials in their own country in exchange for cash.

NBI-7 Cyber Crime Cluster officer-in-charge Allan Tubi said the suspects call the retired officials in Taiwan and tell them they have “pending cases.”

The suspects are now in the custody of the NBI.

Tubi said they earlier received information from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office about their fellow citizens doing illegal activity online.

The NBI-7 then subjected the Taiwanese nationals to a month-long surveillance prior to their arrest.

As to why the suspects selected the country, particularly Cebu City, for their illegal activities, Doria said the suspects may have connections, which is why they have easy access in traveling.

“Posible kasi, madali silang makapag-travel, they pose as tourists then afterwards me mga kakuntsaba. Iyon, ginagamit na sa online fraud,” Doria said.

Asked if the Taiwanese nationals were involved in ATM skimming, the CCPO director said they have yet to investigate, although initially, they found out that the suspects have no involvement.

“Tiningnan natin, wala, kasi considering ‘yung target nila wala dito sa bansa natin,” Doria said. (FREEMAN)