July 24, 2012

      Twenty-one Chinese and Taiwanese nationals allegedly involved in telephone fraud victimizing their compatriots were arrested by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) during a raid of a resident in Angeles City last week-end.

     Investigation report disclosed that the suspects are:

      Huang Li Sin; Huang Shih-Ting; Teng Ya-Huei; Chang Shu-Chu; Lai Chao-Ming; Wu Shu-Lun; Lin Jen Chien; Cheng Chih-Lung; You Jiafu; Huang Cheng Hui; Chan Chih Hsien; Yang Yen Chun; and Wang Pai Lu; Lin Shia Hao; all Taiwanese nationals.

      Xiang Hong; Hong Xia Juan; Zhang Dongmei; Feng Jianbin; Li Wu Xiu; Luo Jia Xin; and Luo Shi You, all Chinese nationals.

      Mr. Shih Liang Shia alias Mr. Chen, the alleged leader of the syndicate, remains at-large.

      On July 5, 2012, the NBI received a letter-request from Mr. Beny Chen, Senior Assistant, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) requesting for an investigative intervention relative to the intelligence report of the Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau (MJIB) regarding the telephone fraud activities of some Taiwanese nationals suspected as syndicate members. They are believed to be operating in the National Capital Region and Luzon.

      The said fraud syndicate are using high-technology equipment in their operations and have successfully defrauded millions of New Taiwan Dollar (NT$) from Taiwanese and Chinese nationals.

      The NBI immediately conducted an investigation. An informant who is a computer technician, said that he was contacted by a certain Shih-Liang Shia alias Mr. Chen, a Taiwanese, the leader of the syndicate, to install expanded internet connections of his premises located at Nos. 16-10 and 16-12 Grande St., Riverside Subdivision, Bgy. Anunas, Friendship, Angeles City, Pampanga. During the installation, he observed the fully functional workstations manned by Taiwanese and Chinese nationals as call center agents.

      Surveillance operations were conducted resulting to the discovery of strategically installed and concealed CCTV cameras at electric posts between houses located at the said address and intertwined telephone and internet cables attached to the same. Further, chants of Chinese speaking people can be heard by adjacent neighbors. A Chinese was always seen in the area acting as a runner.

      On July 20, 2012, the NBI applied for and was issued a search warrant by Manila RTC Br. 22 Exec. Judge Marino M. Dela Cruz, Jr. By virtue of said warrant, operatives conducted a search on the premises of Mr. Chen.

      Seized were laptops, telephones, routers, modems, and other apparatus. These are being used as access devices which are unauthorized to obtain money to initiate transfer of funds other than the use of paper instruments.

      Charges for violation of RA 8484 (the Access Device Regulation Act of 1998) were filed against the suspects before the Angeles City Prosecutor's Office. In the inquest proceedings, the prosecutor found that the respondents were caught en flagrante delicto.

      Later, they were brought to Manila where they are detained at the NBI.