8 NABBED OVER ILLEGAL SIGNAL JAMMING OPERATIONS
EIGHT persons accused of involvement in illegal signal jamming operations in Metro Manila were arrested by agents of the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group in an entrapment operation Thursday night in Pasig City.
PNP-ACG director, Brigadier General Bernard R. Yang identified the eight as alias ‘Apol,23; ‘Ika,’30; ‘Kay,’21; Windel,’33; ‘Marie,’23; ‘and Dina,’28, all sales agents and one alias ‘’Jose,’26; and ‘Rafy,’35, both described as device specialists by the PNP-ACG.
Seized from the suspects’ possession were two pieces of 10 Antenna Signal Jammers; an 8 Antenna Signal Jammer device; and two 3 Antenna signal jammers.
According to Brig. Gen. Yang, members of the PNP-ACG Cyber Financial Crime Unit and their Cyber-Patrolling and Intelligence Unit conducted the entrapment operation at around 6:50 p.m. Thursday after a lengthy surveillance operation and background investigation.
The investigation was launched amid complaints about the suspects’ involvement in modern-day cybercrime activities which have victimized many people.
The PNP-ACG has been hot on the trail of syndicates in the country involved in fraudulent online activities using modern tools to manage multiple Subscriber Identity Module or SIM cards simultaneously; catch one-time passwords needed to tinker with the bank deposits of their targets; and engage in mass swindling activities including Phishing/Smishing where they trick their targets into clicking malicious links or share personal information.
The PNP-ACG has warned the public against fake call centers whose personnel make calls and notifications to milk the victims of their hard-earned money.
Criminals, through the use of stolen SIM cards, were also knowledgeable in extracting one-time passports for online banking or social media hijacking, thus, the public must always be wary of modern cybercrime techniques where SIM cards are being used for scams.
The suspects were charged with violation of Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 and RA 3846 or An Act Providing for the Regulation of Radio Stations and Radio Communications for misuse of devices.
