MANILA – Twelve Chinese nationals and five Filipinos were arrested for alleged scamming operations and attempted bribery, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) bared Tuesday.
The foreigners were arrested in an operation on January 8, 2025, at the Rance Corporate Center Aseana City in Tambo, Paranaque City for alleged violation of the Philippine Immigration Act.
During the operation, NBI personnel found “romance or love scam scripts, messaging applications with fictitious accounts, bank accounts, and fraudulent cryptocurrency scams, and fake investment schemes.”
The discovery resulted in the arrest of 12 Chinese nationals namely: Xu Chao, Meng Wei Shi, Xing Chao, Qin Hai Feng, Li Xiang Hua, Zhang Wei, Wang Qin Xiang, Wang Jia Fa, Jiang Qi Long, Luo Shang Fen, Qixin Wang, and Chen Jiang Song.
The NBI said while the operatives were preparing to return to headquarters with the arrested subjects, a certain Ezechiel Bernales volunteered to come with them, claiming that he is the suspects’ official interpreter.
Bernales allegedly told the NBI operatives that Wang Qin Xiang and Qixin Wang were offering to pay PHP300,000 for the release of each arrested individual or a total of PHP3,600,000.
An entrapment operation was then conducted at the parking lot of the NBI office in Pasay City on January 10 resulting in the arrest of Bernales and four others, namely: Robustiano Hizon, John Abunda Villanueva, Kristoffer Habelito Baguna, and Hanif Bautil.
The 12 Chinese nationals were presented for inquest proceedings before the City Prosecutor’s Office in Parañaque City while the five Filipinos were presented for inquest proceedings before the City Prosecutor Office in Pasay City. (PNA)