Fraud suspect attacks NBI agent during raid

MANILA, Philippines - A Chinese national reportedly engaged in telecommunications, Internet, and credit card fraud was seriously wounded after he tried to attack and stab an operative of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) during a raid in Makati City yesterday afternoon.

NBI Director Magtanggol Gatdula said the raid was conducted upon the request of the Chinese police following complaints by several victims from mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.

A sketchy report said NBI agents, led by lawyer Danny Jacinto of the bureau’s Anti-Fraud and Computer Crimes Unit, raided 3 Galaxy street in Barangay Bel-Air at about 2:30 p.m. to serve a warrant of arrest on Chinese national Wei Hao Lo. The warrant was issued by Manila Regional Trial Court Judge Amor Reyes.

The NBI said Lo is facing charges for violation of Republic Act 8484 or the Access Devices Regulation Act of 1998.

As NBI and Makati police operatives, accompanied by Chinese embassy officials and policemen, were approaching the area, Lo, armed with a knife, ran towards one of the law enforcers.

The NBI agent fired a shot, hitting the suspect in the hand. The bullet went through Lo’s hand and entered the stomach of Lo’s cohort, who is yet to be identified by the NBI. The cohort was taken to Ospital ng Makati for treatment.

A source at the NBI said Lo has allegedly been engaged in the illegal access of credit card information, which Lo and his group use to purchase goods. The bill is sent to the real owners of the credit cards. The source added that Lo and his group pose as a call center company to gain access to credit card information.

NBI operatives confiscated several equipment used in the group’s alleged illegal operation. Lawmen also arrested other suspected members of Lo’s group who appeared to be undocumented Chinese, but would not identify them pending further investigation.