Under the leadership of retired Judge Jaime Santiago, Director of the National Bureau of Investigation, and the direct supervision of Regional Director Ferdinand Lavin, the NBI National Capital Region Office (NBI-NCR) arrested 10 foreign nationals in Parañaque City for allegedly violating Republic Act No. 12010, the Anti-Financial Account Fraud Act.
This operation resulted in the arrest of seven Vietnamese suspects: Pan Yueyin, Du Yingjun, Ruan Deying, Pan Jinsheng, Wu Hongshi, Ruan Wenqing, and Duan Wenyong, along with three Chinese suspects: Zhang Mingyi, Xin Yaohuang, and Xi Men Chen.
The case originated from intelligence reports that a foreign syndicate was involved in investment fraud, cryptocurrency fraud, artificial intelligence fraud, high-yield investment plan fraud, romance scams, and identity theft through social engineering and digital communication systems.
The Capital Region Office immediately initiated surveillance operations, confirming the validity of the intelligence. On January 14, 2025, law enforcement officers applied for and obtained a computer data search, seizure, and inspection order.
On January 15, 2025, after proper coordination with relevant government departments, the Capital Region Office executed the search warrant in Transnational Village, Parañaque City.
In addition to arresting the suspects mentioned above, the operation also seized several computers and scripts for scams written in Chinese characters. Translations confirmed that these scripts were indeed used for phishing and scamming activities.
Preliminary examination of the seized computers also revealed evidence of romance scams, fake social media accounts, fake cryptocurrency schemes, and fraudulent investment solicitations.
Director Santiago praised the Capital Region Office for successfully capturing these foreign suspects and emphasized that the National Bureau of Investigation will steadfastly protect the public from criminal elements.
