577 aliens in online fraud scheme charged

MANILA, Philippines - At least 577 foreigners, mostly Chinese and Taiwanese nationals, arrested by police in simultaneous raids in Rizal and Metro Manila last Thursday for online fraud were charged before the Department of Justice (DOJ) yesterday.

They underwent inquest proceedings for violation of Republic Act 8484 (Access Device Regulation Act) based on the complaint filed by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission.

The respondents, initially reported to be numbering 357, though were not brought to the DOJ.

Prosecutor General Claro Arellano said they instead sent a team of investigating state prosecutors to Camp Vicente Lim in Canlubang, Laguna for the inquest.

Police said members of the syndicate pretended to represent police, prosecutors, courts and insurance firms who told their victims that their bank accounts were being used for money laundering and terrorist financing.

The victims were pressured to transfer their money to an account provided by the syndicate, police said.

Filipino-Chinese Maria Luisa Tan and Johnson Tan Co, tagged as financiers of the syndicate, led the list of respondents.

Last Thursday’s operation, covered by 20 search warrants, is touted to be the largest single-day operation against organized crime in the country. – With Ed Amoroso