Filipino authorities apprehend 17 Taiwanese individuals in a web-based fraud operation carried out in Cebu City.
On a fateful Thursday, May 15, 2025, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) swooped in on a scummy gang of Taiwanese scoundrels in Cebu City's Maria Luisa Estate Park. These virtual swindlers were accused of running a large-scale online scam operation, marking the first time a hub of this nature has been operated entirely by Taiwanese nationals in the Philippines, as per Van Angluben, executive officer of the NBI-Cybercrime Division (CCD).
This clampdown on cybercrime was prompted by a request from the Naval Intelligence and Security Group (NISG), which received a letter on May 5 from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines. This letter requested assistance in serving a warrant for four Chinese nationals believed to be connected with Taiwanese fugitives wanted in Taiwan. Alas, these slippery fellows were not present during the raid.
But things took a turn for the worse for the Taiwanese crew when NBI agents stumbled upon a fully operational office used for scam activities. In the end, 17 Taiwanese individuals were nabbed during the raid, six of whom were wanted fugitives in Taiwan.
The gang members, 16 men and one woman, were accused of pulling off money and romance scams aimed at suckering victims in Taiwan. They were allegedly members of the "Four Seas Gang," a Taiwanese organized criminal syndicate.
Angluben stated that the suspects could face charges for computer-related forgery under Republic Act (RA) 10175, economic sabotage, and social engineering schemes under RA 12010, the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act. They were also looking at possible immigration violations for lack of proper documentation.
Taiwan Police Attaché Matt Shen, who was on the scene, confirmed that the suspects were engaged in real-time romance scams using computers and apps to tug at victims' heartstrings and steal their hard-earned cash. Shen estimated that weekly losses due to these sneaky schemes in Taiwan amounted to a whopping $1.3 billion.
The NBI traced the crooks' movements from Manila to Cebu after they spotted one of the fugitives booking a flight. Authorities believed that the scam operations initially began in Manila.
NBI Special Task Force (STF) Ranier Dela Cruz disclosed that the location was previously identified as a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator hub. However, Angluben clarified that the suspects' primary activity was online fraud, not gaming.
Investigations are underway to uncover possible local accomplices, including officials or employees, due to the private nature of the subdivision where the suspects were found. Inquest proceedings for immigration violations are also in motion, and the suspects will be shipped off to Manila for processing before being handed over to the Bureau of Immigration for possible deportation to Taiwan following the resolution of their cases in the Philippines.
- The scam operation, run by a Taiwanese gang in Manila, was moved to Cebu's Maria Luisa Estate Park, as per its latest hideout, according to the NBI.
- After the raid, 17 Taiwanese nationals were apprehended by the NBI for their involvement in money and romance scams, and six of them were wanted fugitives in Taiwan.
- The suspects, if found guilty, could face charges for computer-related forgery, economic sabotage, and social engineering schemes in the Philippines, as well as potential immigration violations.
- The NBI is currently investigating possible local accomplices or employees, given the private nature of the subdivision where the scam operation was found, and is conducting inquest proceedings for immigration violations.
