Public Warned Against ‘Vishing’ as Nine Scammers Nabbed in Cavite

MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) on Thursday cautioned the public, especially the elderly, against falling victim to fraudulent phone calls from individuals pretending to be bank employees.

According to Philippines News Agency, nine suspects allegedly engaged in ‘vishing’ (voice phishing) scams targeting bank depositors were arrested in Cavite province on Wednesday night. ACG chief Brig. Gen. Ronnie Cariaga stated that the arrest was made during the service of warrants to search, seize, and examine computer data (WSSECD) against April Joy Espino, 34, for violation of Section 4 (b) (2) or Computer-related Fraud under Republic Act No. 10175, the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. “In telephone calls, these individuals pretended to be bank employees, deceitfully obtaining money from the victims’ bank accounts,” Cariaga said in a statement.

He noted that the arrest followed an eight-month investigation, case build-up, and surveillance on the suspects, which stemmed from complaints from dozens of victims. Seized during the operation were registered SIM cards, information and communication technology (ICT) devices, bank documents, and scripts used when calling the victims. Among the bank documents were assorted bank accounts and credit card account records containing various personal information.

Cariaga called for the cooperation of financial institutions in the investigation to strengthen the evidence, prepare for filing the case, and expedite the process. “The PNP ACG will also reach out to the victims identified in the gathered evidence to assist them in filing a complaint,” he said.

In a press briefing at Camp Crame, ACG Cyber Response Unit chief Col. Jay Guillermo reported that the suspects siphoned millions from their victims’ accounts. “So roughly nasa PHP40 million na yang nakuha nila (They got roughly PHP40 million) from the time we investigate from November up to now,” Guillermo said. He mentioned that some retired employees, including court judges, were defrauded of their hard-earned pensions.

Guillermo also reminded bank depositors not to share their one-time PIN (OTP) with anyone.