The NBI agents caught 17 Taiwanese nationals — 16 men and 1 woman — on May 15 in a high-end subdivision in Cebu City. They were reported to be members of the notorious criminal group “Four Seas” gang from Taiwan.
According to NBI Special Task Force agent Rainier dela Cruz, six of those caught have warrants of arrest in Taiwan for cases involving drugs, money laundering, and money conversion.
Seized during the operation were 17 computers, 23 mobile phones, and 2 crypto wallets believed to be used in love scam or also called romance scam.
The NBI said the operation was conducted after the Naval Intelligence and Security Group requested assistance. The surveillance began after one of the warrant holders booked a flight from Manila to Cebu.
The suspects will be charged with violation of the Cybercrime Prevention Act (RA 10175) and participation in social engineering and economic sabotage.
