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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 14 persons arrested at 'scam hub' in Pampanga -- NBI

14 persons arrested at 'scam hub' in Pampanga -- NBI

Published Feb 25, 2026 11:54 am
Fourteen persons, who have been reportedly victimizing retirees and vulnerable persons in their scam operation, have been arrested in Clark Freeport in Pampanga.
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Wednesday, Feb. 25, said the arrest was enforced based on a Warrant to Search, Seize, and Examine Computer Data (WSSECD) issued by Makati City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 132.
It said “the operation resulted in the arrest of 14 individuals allegedly involved in a sophisticated ‘social engineering’ scheme primarily targeting retirees and vulnerable citizens.”
It also said the search yielded “a significant haul of electronic evidence including high-end computer devices and smartphones, numerous SIM cards used for fraudulent communications and detailed ledgers of potential victims’ personal information.”
The NBI said the group’s "social engineering" scheme involved harvesting personal data through deception of targeted victims with fraudulent investment offers.
“After being tricked into clicking phishing links, victims were coerced into depositing large sums of money into a fake platform, only to be locked out and denied access to their funds once the transfers were complete,” it also said.
After the arrest, the 14 suspects whose names were withheld by the NBI were charged with violations of Republic Act (RA) 10175, the Cybercrime Prevention Act, and RA 12010, the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act.
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