An entrapment operation in Pasay City led to the arrest of a man accused of running an online investment scheme that allegedly preyed on Filipinos preparing to work overseas, authorities disclosed Thursday.
According to the National Bureau of Investigation, its Cybercrime Division carried out the operation on Feb. 10 inside a restaurant at a mall in Pasay after receiving a complaint from a prospective overseas worker. The complainant had reportedly been drawn into what investigators described as a bogus foreign exchange trading offer.
Agents said the suspect operated through a group chat on the Telegram messaging platform, where participants were promised accelerated earnings and assured profits. The pitch, authorities noted, highlighted the possibility of earning quickly ahead of deployment abroad.
“Driven by the prospect of financial security before working abroad, the complainant transferred a total of P957,700 across several transactions. This included a final ‘third ride’ payment of P60,000, which the Subject claimed would double in value,” the NBI said.
The agency added that no returns were delivered despite repeated follow-ups from the victim. “When the promised returns failed to materialize despite repeated demands, the suspect attempted to solicit an additional P4-million from the victim,” it added.
After suspecting deception, the complainant sought assistance from the NBI’s cybercrime investigators. Authorities then arranged a meeting where the supposed additional investment would be handed over, leading to the suspect’s arrest during the staged exchange.
The NBI reported that the individual has been subjected to inquest proceedings and is facing “formal charges for Estafa under Article 315, paragraph 2(a) of the Revised Penal Code in relation to Section 6 of Republic Act No. 10175, also known as the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012,” said the NBI.
