Police Authorities Arrest Rapper, Singer Girlfriend, & 17 Others for Involvement in Vishing Scam
A popular rapper and his singer girlfriend along with 17 individuals were arrested in Imus, Cavite for voice phishing, or vishing, scam.
According to police reports, the rapper, known as “Boy,” revealed that they were recruited by the group’s leader, referred to as “Mamita,” who has reportedly been involved in this illegal activity for 11 years.
Boy explained that he initially joined the scam group because his income from other sources was inconsistent. When offered another job opportunity, he didn’t realize that it was part of a scam operation.
Authorities reported that the group was earning around P5 million weekly from their illegal activities.
The PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) arrested the suspects at a rented house that served as their scam hub. The suspects were involved in calling victims while pretending to be bank representatives, convincing them to update their cards.
Unknown to the victims, the scammers were actually stealing money from their bank accounts.
During the raid, authorities seized several SIM cards, mobile devices, laptops, bank documents, ledgers, and scripts used to deceive their victims. The seized items included credit card application forms, which were likely obtained from malls outside of banks.
The PNP-ACG has already raided four vishing hubs between June and August this year. In addition to the arrests in Imus, nine suspects were apprehended in General Trias and Trece Martires, Cavite, while eleven were caught in Taguig.
The suspects face charges for violating the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act (AFASA), recently signed into law by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. They will also face additional charges for violating the Access Devices Regulation Act, Data Privacy Act, and Cybercrime Prevention Act.
PNP-ACG Director PMGen. Ronnie Francis Cariaga urged the public to report similar incidents immediately to ensure quick action against such scams.
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