CEBU CITY—Two persons were arrested after the National Bureau of Investigation in Central Visayas (NBI 7) uncovered a fraudulent online transaction involving illegal credit card purchases.
The arrest stemmed from a complaint of a credit card owner, who reported to the NBI 7 that fraudulent online purchases have been charged to her account.
“A complainant came to our office and reported that her credit card was used in an online purchase. She was surprised because she has not been using her credit card,” said an NBI 7 agent, who led the investigation, but asked not to be named.
The NBI 7 said the complainant was surprised when she was notified by the issuing bank regarding a dollar merchant purchase.
The complainant contacted the issuing bank to check on the purchase.
The bank informed the complainant that one purchase didn’t prosper since it needed a one-time pin. But two transactions made by a certain Juliet Bayato were completed.
The complainant told the bank that she was not aware of the transactions, and did not know Bayato.
Further investigation showed that Bayato, using the complainant’s credit card, purchased items from the Usana Essential Health Products, which is based at the IT Park in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City.
The products were purchased by Bayato via two transactions.
A first delivery was already made.
In coordination with Usana, NBI 7 agents conducted a controlled delivery for the second set of purchased items that led to the arrest of Roland Ebrado and Niza Cagabhion, workers of a pharmacy in uptown Cebu City where the entrapment operation was conducted.
The two arrested persons said they were just instructed by Bayato and certain Jimboy Rouales Ramos to receive the items that the NBI 7 said were purchased using the complainant’s credit card.
Ramos was allegedly one of the owners of the pharmacy where the arrest was made.
The NBI 7 warned the public to be cautious when conducting online transactions.
“Fraudulent online schemes have become common especially during this time of pandemic. People are more into cashless transactions now,” the NBI 7 agent said.
A manhunt operation against Ramos and Bayato was ongoing.
The NBI 7 said charges for violation of Republic Act (RA) 8484 or the Access Devices Regulation Act as amended by RA 11449 will be charged against the arrested suspects.
The offense constitutes economic sabotage and if found guilty, the suspects may face life imprisonment or a fine of not less than P1 million but not more than P5 million, the NBI 7 said.