In line with the government’s efforts to eradicate all forms of criminality, the National Bureau of Investigation – Special Task Force (NBI-STF), under the direct supervision of NBI Director Judge Jaime B. Santiago (Ret.), has arrested twenty (20) foreign nationals for violating Section 4(b)(1) (Social Engineering Schemes) of R.A. No. 12010 (Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act) about R.A. No. 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012).
Among those arrested was LIU ZHI TAO, also known as “Ren Jia,” who faces additional charges for violation of Article 267 (Serious Illegal Detention) of the Revised Penal Code (RPC).
The operation stemmed from a complaint made by the wife of a Chinese kidnapped victim. She alleged that her husband, who worked as a Customer Service Representative (CSR) for a POGO company operating under the trade name “LWE,” was being held against his will by his employers. The Complainant revealed that the POGO company is located at Aseana 3, West Tower, 8912 Avenue, Paranaque City.
On February 25, 2025, the agents of NBI-STF raided the office of the said POGO company, rescuing the kidnapped victim and arresting his captor, Subject Liu Zhi Tao. During the operation, the agents of NBI-STF also uncovered a fully operational scam hub, revealing that the foreign nationals working inside were engaged in online scamming activities. Consequently, the NBI agents apprehended these individuals for violating the AFASA Law.
The arrested Subjects were presented for inquest proceedings before the Office of the City Prosecutor – Paranaque City. Director Santiago commended the agents of NBI-STF for the arrest of the foreign nationals and the rescue of the Chinese victim.