POLICE have arrested 41 individuals allegedly involved in cybersex operations in three locations in Valenzuela City, Metro Manila and Batangas Province.
Brigadier General Robert Rodriguez, Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) director, said the suspects were arrested on July 13, 2021 in a commercial establishment in Paso de Blas, Valenzuela City as well as in another commercial establishment in Lipa City, Batangas and in a residential area in Sto. Tomas, Batangas.
The raid stemmed from a report received through the newly launched E-Access (Enhanced, Anti-Cybercrime Campaign, Education, Safety and Security), which aims to strengthen campaigns against cybercrimes.
Rodriguez said the suspects were running cybersex operations in the guise of a legitimate call center company.
They introduced themselves to their targets, mostly members of the LGBTQ community, as US -based young and attractive males and females. They offer clients erotic massage services in exchange for registration fees using credit cards.
The suspects will later on block their victims’ online registration after taking at least 50 US dollars from each credit card account.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) launched E-Access on July 8, 2021 amid the increase in cybercrimes in the country since the Covid-19 pandemic started last year and most of the transactions are being done online.
The E-Access has a database where netizens can verify mobile phone numbers, email addresses, or social media accounts used for illegal activities. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo / SunStar Philippines)