EVEN though they didn’t have any Filipino victims, the 19 Taiwanese and five Chinese nationals was still charged with violating the Anti-Cybercrime Law.
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) 7 had already filed the case in the City Prosecutor’s Office.
“Wala sila’y gibiktima diri sa ato pero naa gihapon silay tulubagon sa atong korte (They still have to answer for their crimes here in our court),” said NBI 7 Director Atty. Patricio Bernales Jr.
The Anti-Cybercrime Act penalizes persons who commit computer-related offenses, such as forgery, fraud and identity theft.
Informed
The bureau already contacted the consulate of Taiwan to inform the latter of the latest development.
Last Monday, the 24 foreigners were arrested inside a subdivision in Guadalajara, Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City.
Authorities confiscated cellphones, computers and other gadgets.
The database of the computers is believed to contain crucial information that can help agents track down other suspects and victims of the group.
Most of their victims were active and retired Taiwanese government officials. The suspects accused them of false crimes and grudges to scare them into paying amounts in exchange for the dropping of charges.
For now, the NBI 7 is still waiting for the lawyer of the Taiwanese and the Chinese nationals to represent them in court.
“Wala pa pero I’m sure mogawas ra na (They have no lawyer yet but I’m sure he will appear soon),” Bernales said.
During the inquest, the prosecutor asked for a preliminary investigation of the case.
Withdrawn
On Sept. 8 last year, 43 Taiwanese and 26 Chinese nationals were also arrested for allegedly conducting online fraud operations.
The charges were later withdrawn so the suspects could be deported to their own country.
Online fraud is equal to a felony in Taiwan. It carries a penalty of seven years in prison.
Because online fraud is bailable here in the Philippines, the NBI 7 will coordinate with the Bureau of Immigration to cancel the passports of the Taiwanese nationals.
According to figures provided by a Taiwanese authority who asked not to be named, over 500 Taiwanese have been deported in the Philippines for online fraud.
Taiwanese police are still working to find out if the suspects who were recently arrested were part of a syndicate.
They are also tracking down other Taiwanese nationals in the country who may be involved in online fraud.