Police have arrested five Koreans and their four Filipino cohorts who were allegedly involved in hacking and phishing activities for online banking that target foreigners, particularly Koreans and Americans.
Nabbed were Lee Sungbo, Yoensu Yoon, Junguk Lee, Lee Jaehun, Song Gil Sung, Alyssa Lee, Maiko Natividad, John Patrick Gonzales and Bong Garcia.
Gen. Debild Sinas, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said the suspects were arrested in at least three separate operations in Angeles City which were conducted after the police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), was able to track down their location.
Seized from them were computers, laptops, electronic gadgets and other internet connectivity equipment which they allegedly use in illegal activities.
“The arrested persons are engaged in fraudulent activities through hacking and phishing, victimizing mostly Korean Nationals and US Citizens who are widely known as online banking/transaction users,” said Sinas.
“These schemes which constitute economic sabotage are one of the national security concerns of the PNP CIDG. These suspects have allegedly amassed multi million pesos from illicit activities exploiting technology advances,” he added.
A string of criminal charges are now being readied against the suspects.