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Eleven individuals were arrested by the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) for their alleged involvement in an illegal online gambling operation in Barangay Pinyahan, Quezon City.
According to the police report, the suspects were caught operating illegal number games and online betting activities at a residence at No. 9 Kamias Road on Friday, Oct. 24.
The arrested individuals were identified as alias “Joel,” 35; “Oliver,” 45; “Florentino,” 49; “Roel,” 45; “Emerson,” 46; “Jerwin,” 34; “Angelito,” 43; “Luis,” 47; “Carlos,” 63; “Alma,” 42; and “Felicidad,” 56.
They are residents of Batangas, Quezon City, Cavite, and Marikina City, and are now under police custody.
Based on the report of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (CIDU) led by Pollice Lt. Col. Edison Ouano, authorities received information from a confidential informant regarding the group’s illegal operations involving “bookies” and EZ2 games.
The suspects reportedly used Facebook Live to conduct unauthorized Small-Town Lottery (STL) draws without the required authorization from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).
The operatives launched an anti-criminality operation that led to the identification of the gambling site. Upon arrival, the suspects were caught in the act of recording bets.
Further investigation showed that some of their transactions were conducted via e-money, with evidence retrieved from text messages on their mobile phones.
Police recovered nine notebooks, 13 cellular phones, nine calculators, betting paraphernalia, nine ballpens, and cash amounting to P4,070.
One of the suspects, alias “Alma,” was also found to have an existing warrant of arrest for estafa.
Charges for violating Republic Act 9287 (Illegal Numbers Game Law), Republic Act 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012), and Republic Act 1169 (An Act Providing for Charity Sweepstakes, Horse Races, and Lotteries) have been filed before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office.