PHILIPPINE National Police chief, General Rodolfo S. Azurin Jr. on Wednesday congratulated the men and women of the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group headed by Brigadier Gen. Joel B. Doria for a job well done in addressing cybercrimes in the country amid the new normal.

The top cop issued the commendation to the country’s cybercops amid the blessing and inauguration of the newly-constructed PNP-ACG Building at Camp Crame.

The PNP chief was also given a briefing on how PNP-ACG personnel act upon complaints being forwarded to them either online or by walk-in complainants.

Gen. Azurin has cited the major role being played by the PNP-ACG in addressing cyber-related crimes and online sexual abuse and exploitation, mostly victimizing women and children.

He also gave emphasis on the need to further strengthen the capabilities of the PNP-ACG by providing it with more state-of-the-art equipment, training and technical people.

This week, agents of the PNP-ACG arrested a Nigerian national and his Filipina partner for their involvement in the so-called ‘Love Scam.’

Brig. Gen. Doria said that the two were accused of gypping a 59-year old Filipina who fell in love with the Nigerian whom she thought was a Turkish national.

An investigation conducted by the Quezon City District Anti-Cybercrime Team led by Lieutenant Michael Bernardo showed that the woman met the suspect through ‘Meetme,’ a social media dating platform app at the height of the pandemic in March 2020.

The woman really thought that she was talking with a Turkish national named ‘Demir Balik’ when in reality, it was the name being used by the Nigerian to defraud his victims.

After falling in love with the ‘Turkish national,’ the complainant was also made to believe by the suspect that he needed money to restore his dormant account in Clydesdale Bank.

Convinced, the woman sent her online boyfriend a total of P2,282,000, the money deposited to the accounts of one Jacel Ann Paderan in Metrobank and the account of one Cristine Mae Elizares in RCBC.

However, the complainant began entertaining doubts about the real identity of her online boyfriend when he asked her to send him more money. She later filed a complaint against the suspect until Judge Maria Gilda Loja- ordered the arrest of the suspects for swindling/estafa with the use of information and communications technology under Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

Members of the QCDACT and the QC Police District Special Operations Unit arrested the Nigerian and Paderan in Bacoor City in Cavite on All Saints’ Day. Still being hunted I Elizares.

“When people you meet online start asking you for money, think again. These are red flags that indicate that you are a potential victim of a love scam,” said Brig. Gen. Doria encourages victims of similar modus operandi to go to their office and file an official complaint against those who victimized them.