THIRTY-ONE individuals, including 2 Taiwanese nationals, were arrested for their alleged involvement in a large-scale online scamming operation in Lapu-Lapu City on Wednesday, June 4, 2025.
In a statement released by National Bureau of Investigation Central Visayas (NBI 7) on Thursday, June 5, the arrests were made during a raid conducted at Block 35, Lots 4, 5, and 6 in Vistamar Subdivision, Barangay Mactan, based on three warrants to search, seize, and examine computer data (WSSECD) issued by Ramon Daomillas Jr. of Regional Trial Court Branch 11 in Cebu City.
Identified as the alleged supervisors of the illegal operation were Taiwanese nationals Liu Cheng-Chihi, 31, and Tsai Chit Ting, 41, who reportedly oversaw 29 Filipino agents, both male and female operating from a scam hub disguised as a workstation setup.
The suspects will face charges for violating Section 4(b)(2) of Republic Act 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, specifically for computer-related fraud.
According to the NBI 7, the suspects had been carrying out their illegal activities for nearly a year.
Seized from the raid were multiple computer systems allegedly used to host fraudulent sites and facilitate the online scams.
Investigators said the scam activities included:
1. Using fake profiles on dating sites such as Filipino Cupid;
2. Creating fake social media accounts on Facebook;
3. WhatsApp, Instagram, and Telegram;
4. Operating bogus e-commerce platforms mimicking Shopee (e.g., shope6vip.martin1707.com), designed to defraud users by imitating the look and branding of the legitimate online store.
Victims only realized they had been scammed when the goods they ordered failed to arrive.
The operation was conducted in coordination with barangay officials led by Councilor Valentina Martingan and Lapu-Lapu City Police Office Director Dyan V. Agustin.
The arrested individuals were brought to the Lapu-Lapu City Prosecutor’s Office on Thursday, June 5 for inquest proceedings.
If convicted, the suspects will face a penalty of arresto mayor (6 to 12 years imprisonment) and a fine of not less than P200,000. (CDF)