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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Metro Manila devider 13 'love scam' workers locked up by employer rescued in Silang, Cavite

13 'love scam' workers locked up by employer rescued in Silang, Cavite

Published Jul 13, 2023 01:38 am
CAVITE - Authorities rescued 13 employees of an alleged “love scam” den in Silang that held the victims against their will on Wednesday night, July 12. Silang Municipal Police Station (MPS) Chief Lt. Col. Romulo Co Dela Rea said they conducted the rescue operation after getting a report from one of the victims through their SMS hotline and Facebook account. “He was held against his will. 'Yung recruiter got him as encoder ng computer. Later, nalaman niya na involved pala sa love scam (he learned that the business was involved in love scam),” Dela Rea told the Manila Bulletin. “They’re using computers para makapanloko nang tao (to swindle people), usually foreigners.” The Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) [Cyber Security Bulletin](https://acg.pnp.gov.ph/main/cyber-security-bulletin/35-types-online-scam/270-acg-cyber-security-bulletin-no-133-understanding-the-risk-of-internet-love-scam.html) defined an internet love scam as a scheme where the scammer works to gain the “victim’s adoration and trust, then asks for money as proof of love.” The scammer disappears once money has been transferred. The informant told the police that their manager has been keeping them inside a padlocked property since July 1, not allowing them to go out. “Through the course of our conversation through SMS and FB Messenger, patago, mga 6:00 p.m. nag-distress SMS siya na nalaman ng captor niya, papatayin daw (secretly, at around 6:00 p.m., he sent a distress SMS because his captor learned that he reported to us and threatened to kill him),” Dela Rea recounted. Operatives immediately went to the site to rescue the informant and 12 other victims. They also confiscated 18 desktop computer units and 178 cell phones. Arrested during the operation was the manager of the love scam den, identified as Kenchi Suico. His live-in partner, Hannah Jurada Mahinay, was also later arrested after the police interviewed the victims and the initial suspect. The Silang MPS has coordinated with the provincial and regional anti-cybercrime groups for technical assistance. Dela Rea said the suspects are facing charges for serious illegal detention, grave threats, and grave coercion.
(MANILA BULLETIN)

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