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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Chinese woman 'online lending scammer' arrested -- NBI

Chinese woman 'online lending scammer' arrested -- NBI

Published Jul 26, 2024 06:44 am

A Chinese woman has been arrested in Pasay City for operating an alleged online lending scam, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said on Friday, July 26.

NBI Director Jaime B. Santiago identified the Chinese woman as Mi Duan who was arrested last July 22 at the office of the 24H Peso in Pasay City.

Mi's arrest was a result of the enforcement by operatives of the NBI National Capital Region (NBI-NCR) of a search warrant issued by the Pasay City Regional Trial Court (RTC), Santiago said.

He said that Mi, who only showed an identification card and failed to present a passport, faces charges for violations of Section 25 of Republic Act (RA) 10173, the Data Privacy Act of 2012, in relation to Section 6 of RA 10175, the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012; and Section 4(a1) of RA 10175.

Seized by the NBI during the operation were 33 smartphones, 32 computers, a laptop, a USB containing closed circuit television (CCTV) footage, a set of Visionary Lending, Inc. documents, and a set of contracts of lease.

The NBI said there were also 3 Filipino collection agents who were rounded up by the bureau which intends to use them as witnesses against 24H Peso.

“We take the opportunity to alarm the public and requested to come forward ‘yung mga nabiktima ng ganito, tinatakot sila, pinagbabantaan sila (victims who been threatened by this scammer are asked to come forward),” Santiago said.

The director said that 24H Peso  has been using personal and sensitive information of borrowers, clients, and others in their contact lists to damage reputations, harass, threaten, coerce, and conduct unduly intrusive methods including posting on social media and other platforms. 

He said the NBI-NCR conducted the operation based on the complaint of a female victim who downloaded the 24H Peso application from the Google Playstore so that she could borrow P3,500.

Though she only received P1,900 after interest was deducted, the complainant later fully paid in time the entire P3,500 loan, he also said.

Despite the full payment, Santiago said the female victim was contacted and threatened by 24H Peso.

At the same time, the NBI said that is nvestigators found that the 24H Peso app was also installed into the cellphone of the victim without her knowledge and resulted in the viewing of the complainant’s phonebook.

After finding the location of 24H Peso, the NBI-NCR secured a search warrant and proceeded to the office of the lending company in Pasay City.

It said the Filipino collection agents revealed to investigators that they were forced to make threats to borrowers in accordance to a prepared script prepared by the 24H Peso.

They added they were verbally and physically abused if they failed to meet their daily quota, it also said.

Related Tags

National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)
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