4 Nigerians nabbed for credit card fraud

MANILA, Philippines - The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested four Nigerians allegedly operating a syndicate “cloning” credit cards and stealing information from credit card holders.

NBI Director Nestor Mantaring identified the four suspects as Benson Alochukwa Onwuama, with aliases Uchenna Ekeyi, Dave and David, 27; Rotini Mumuni Oladapo, 36; Robinson Adatire, 52; and Olarewaju Mojeed Ayebbusi, 24.

They were arrested at their residence at Cecilio Apartments, Looban St., Aniban V, Bacoor, Cavite.

Last July 4, they were charged before the Imus, Cavite Prosecutor’s Office with violation of Republic Act 8484, the Access Devices Regulation Act of 1998.

Additional charges will be filed against them after their other victims file their complaints before the NBI.

Another syndicate member, Alochukwu Bartholomew Onwualu, 26, also a Nigerian, eluded arrest.

The NBI is verifying the authenticity of the passports of the four Nigerians and checking with the Bureau of Immigration when they entered the country.

The four Nigerians were arrested after the NBI Anti-Fraud and Computer Crimes Division, headed by Assistant Regional Director Vicente de Guzman III, investigated the complaint of Philippine Airlines involving purchases of PAL electronic airline tickets using “cloned” credit cards. – Sandy Araneta