'Scam hub' may face multiple charges, cybercrime violations

Law enforcers are eyeing possible multiple violations under the Anti-Cybercrime Law after shutting down an alleged scam hub masquerading as a Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) firm in Barangay Kasambagan, Cebu City, not in a building at Cebu IT Park as mentioned in the viral post.

- 

This, as the Cebu City Business Processing Licensing Office (BPLO) has ordered the company to cease its operations, through the issuance of a show cause order.

Authorities from the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Police Regional Office-Central Visayas (PRO-7) confirmed yesterday that the suspicious operation had already ceased four days earlier, following a viral exposé on social media.

An estimated 30 to 40 individuals were believed to be working for the now-defunct operation, reportedly involved in “love scams” and fake investment solicitations targeting foreigners, mostly from African countries.

The scheme allegedly involved Filipino agents posing as foreigners, using scripted conversations to lure victims into investing money online with the promise of high returns.

Police Brigadier General Redrico Maranan, PRO-7 director, said the firm's operations could constitute multiple counts of online fraud, identity theft, and unauthorized access to personal data, all punishable under Republic Act 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

Under the Cybercrime Law, offenses such as computer-related fraud and computer-related identity theft carry penalties ranging from six to 12 years of imprisonment and higher, if committed by a syndicate.

"Kami naman sa law enforcement agency sa Philippine National Police ay patuloy kami mag-mamanman, patuloy kaming tatalima sa aming mandato at katulad nito, ito'y nabunyag sa pamamagitan ng Facebook at ng isang hacker," he said.

A show cause order has been issued to the management of the suspected scam hub, as well as those who sub-leased the building space, as confirmed by Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Director Police Colonel Enrico Figueroa.