Six Vietnamese nationals allegedly involved in an online gambling-related fraud operation were arrested by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation-Special Action Unit in Makati City.
The arrests came after nearly a month of casing and surveillance by the NBI-SAU, following information that foreign nationals were allegedly providing customer relations and support services for clients of an offshore online gaming platform from several units at Signa Designer Residences Tower 2 in Salcedo Village.
After verifying the reported activities and establishing reasonable grounds that illegal operations were being conducted in the area, NBI-SAU operatives arrested the six suspects while they were using several laptops inside separate condominium units.
An examination of the laptops allegedly showed that the suspects were using a customer support platform, Telegram chats, and websites linked to the “Luck8” online gambling platform.
Authorities said the suspects allegedly operated fake websites designed to mislead users into believing they were accessing the legitimate Luck8 platform. They also allegedly monitored players of legitimate online casinos through Telegram groups or channels to identify potential victims.
The NBI said charges for violation of Section 4(b)(2) of Republic Act No. 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, covering computer-related fraud, are being prepared against the suspects before the Office of the City Prosecutor in Makati City.