MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has successfully dismantled a major cyber-financial scamming hub located within the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga. The operation, conducted on Saturday, February 21, 2026, resulted in the arrest of 14 individuals.
The Scam Operation:
- Target Victims: The NBI stated that the hub primarily targeted retirees and other vulnerable citizens.
- Modus Operandi: The suspects used fraudulent investment offers to trick victims into clicking phishing links. Once personal data was gathered, victims were coerced into depositing large sums of money into a fake investment platform. After the transfers were complete, the victims were locked out of their accounts and denied access to their funds.
The Raid and Evidence:
Acting on a warrant issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 132 of Makati City, NBI agents—in coordination with the Clark Development Corp. (CDC) Security Services Group—confiscated a variety of electronic evidence, including:
- High-end computer devices and smartphones.
- Numerous SIM cards used for fraudulent communications.
- Detailed ledgers containing the personal information of potential victims.
Legal Consequences:
The 14 arrested suspects were presented for inquest proceedings. They face charges for violations of:
- Republic Act 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act).
- Republic Act 12010 (Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act).