Nigerian and Filipino scam syndicate busted in Philippines!

The Philippines police have arrested 13 Nigerians and a Filipino accomplice allegedly behind an “online scamming syndicate” that victimised overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and other nationalities, during raids conducted overnight in Imus City in Cavite province on Sunday.

Imus City police chief Supt. Audi Madrideo said the Nigerians, most of them in their late 20s to early 30s, entered the country using student visas.

He said the suspects, on Facebook, posed as members of the US military by using stolen pictures and profiles.

They would woo their victims by chat. Once hooked, they would promise to send them gifts or money, some as much as $2.5 million, Madrideo said.

The catch, however, was that in order for them to send the package, the victims had to wire money first to pay for shipping or customs fees. 

According to one witness, they have been in my area (Imus) for eight months already. But we learned that they also faced similar complaints in Las Piñas and Pasay City (in Metro Manila) before they moved to Cavite, Madrideo said.

Emmanuel Nnandi, one of the alleged group leaders, was arrested in an entrapment operation around 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, in a money transfer outlet in Barangay (village) Tanzang Luma 2.

Nnandi led authorities to other members of the group who were consequently arrested from three apartments. Police found out that the Nigerians had entered the country using student visas.

Madrideo said the Nigerians and the Filipino suspect had undergone inquest proceedings on Tuesday for syndicated estafa(swindling).

We have coordinated with the Interpol because the victims were not only Filipinos but also individuals of different nationalities. They (suspects) may face possible deportation, depending on what more we are about to find out, He said.

 

from newsinfo.inquirer.net