Operatives from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the National Bureau of Investigation have confiscated thousands of fake Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), PhilHealth and other government identification cards in a raid at a house in Lagtang, Talisay, Cebu.
Geraldine Tausa, a suspect apprehended at the scene, was alleged to be a member of a notorious syndicate that sells counterfeit IDs online for prices ranging from ₱150 to ₱380.
To evade detection, the syndicate arranges for the counterfeit IDs to be placed in various locations, or delivered via courier services.
BIR Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui, Jr. expressed grave concern over the racket, stating that the distribution of the fake IDs undermines the integrity of the identification system and facilitates fraudulent activities that can harm many individuals.
"We are committed to rooting out these illegal operations and bringing those responsible to justice," he added.
Lumagui noted that the counterfeit IDs were almost indistinguishable from legitimate ones, with the key difference being the QR Code, which reveals the ID's validity when scanned.
During questioning, Tausa admitted to have been operating the illegal activity for several months.
She disclosed that she receives templates and numbers from a supplier. She then proceeds to print the IDs.
Tausa also revealed that she had four resellers distributing the fake IDs. Authorities are now intensifying efforts to track down other members of the syndicate involved in this fraudulent operation.