Manila: The Philippine National Police (PNP) has stepped up efforts to dismantle networks behind vehicle-related financial scams while arresting more than 400 cybercrime suspects in the third quarter of the year.
According to Philippines News Agency, acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. stated that the move aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to toughen the stance against individuals exploiting car financing loopholes and bogus ownership schemes. The Highway Patrol Group (HPG) in Central Luzon recovered three vehicles involved in separate fraud-related incidents on October 16. In Abucay, Bataan, police recovered a Toyota Vios linked to the Talon-Casa financing fraud after the driver surrendered the vehicle under repossession proceedings. In Pilar, Bataan, authorities seized a motorcycle with falsified official receipt and certificate of registration during clearance verification. Meanwhile, in Angeles City, Pampanga, a Ford Everest was recovered following a Failed-to-Return complaint filed by its owner. All vehicles are now impounded for forensic and legal processing while the involved individuals were cooperating with investigators.
Lt. Gen. Nartatez emphasized that the operation sends a strong message to fraudsters that the PNP will not tolerate financial deception and falsification of records. He urged banks, lending institutions, and the public to verify all car-related transactions to avoid falling victim to scammers. He stated, “Fraudsters thrive on negligence. We encourage everyone to double-check all documents and work only with trusted partners. Ang laban kontra pandaraya ay hindi lang trabaho ng pulis, ito ay responsibilidad nating lahat (The fight against fraud is not just the job of the police, it is the responsibility of all of us).” He also ordered the PNP-HPG to strengthen coordination with the Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) and regional police offices in tracking down online listings and falsified registrations linked to syndicated car loan frauds.
Meanwhile, PNP-ACG operatives arrested 410 individuals in the third quarter (July-September) of this year over various offenses under the cybercrime law, ACG director Brig. Gen. Bernard Yang reported at a press briefing at Camp Crame. The group arrested 311 persons during entrapment operations, 97 other wanted persons, rescued 26 minors from abuse, and helped convict 58 individuals in cybercrime-related cases. The PNP-ACG conducted 426 digital forensic examinations and carried out a total of 338 cyber warrants, resulting in the filing of 387 cases and 240 inquest proceedings.
Brig. Gen. Yang also reported the arrest of two text phishing scam suspects who were using International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) catcher apparatus in Makati and Mandaluyong City. He noted, “This scam were the ones which we receive via texts telling us to claim a reward from a certain telecommunications company.” The ACG chief added that sources of the said machines were available online. “We see many sources, first of all, it is available online, so we intensified the conduct of cyber patrolling, it’s because we saw that one source is through online, it is being purchased online,” Yang said.