The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested 17 individuals during two simultaneous raids targeting separate scam operations in Parañaque City.
In the first operation, the NBI Special Action Unit (NBI-SAU) raided a residence in Multinational Village, arresting three Filipinos and two foreign nationals who allegedly impersonated Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents.
The suspects allegedly used prepared scripts, forged documents, altered voices, and manipulated video backgrounds to convince targets they were legitimate federal investigators handling cases with U.S. financial institutions, using threats and harassment to extort sensitive details.
Investigators seized FBI-marked clothing and badges, forged documents, laptops, mobile phones, a portable green screen, livestreaming software and an artificial intelligence tool used to alter accents during calls.
“Nagpapakilalang FBI [ang mga suspek]. Inaresto natin ito at dalawang kaso nga harapin ito, computer-related fraud saka usurpation of authority,” NBI Director Atty. Melvin Matibag said.
In a second operation on the same street, agents arrested 11 Filipinos and one Malaysian national operating an online fraud ring.
Investigators revealed the group used fake TikTok profiles and stolen photos to gain victims’ trust and obtain personal details. Names, birth dates, identification information, and phone numbers were then forwarded via Telegram to co-conspirators who conducted love scams, financial fraud and extortion.
The 12 individuals face charges of computer-related forgery and unauthorized processing of personal information, while the NBI-SAU continues to investigate the full extent of the syndicate’s operations.