NBI Anti-Cybercrime Complaint Desk, Filinvest Cyberzone Bay, Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard, Pasay City (2026)

08/08/2026

PRESS RELEASE | NBI ARRESTS INDIVIDUALS INTERCEPTED FOR ILLEGAL OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT
NAIA Task Force Against Trafficking (NAIATFAT) endorsed three (3) individuals to the National Bureau of Investigation – International Airport Investigation Division (NBI-IAID) for investigation following their interception by the Bureau of Immigration – Immigration Protection and Border Enforcement Section (I-PROBES) at NAIA Terminal 3.
Investigation disclosed that the passengers were part of a group intending to travel to Jeju Island, South Korea, for employment purposes, despite initially presenting themselves as tourists bound for Taiwan. One of the intercepted (victim) admitted that she and two (2) other individuals had been recruited by a certain “Carina” to work at a bar in Jeju Island with a promised monthly salary of approximately Php100,00.00.
The Illegal Recruiter introduced the other two (2) intercepted individuals (arrested subjects) to the recruited victims and assigned them specific roles to facilitate their departure from the country and avoid detection by immigration authorities. One Victim was instructed to pose as the romantic partner of one of the Subjects, while another Victim was instructed to accompany the other Subject and portray themselves as close friends traveling together. To support the fabricated travel narratives, the group was provided with coordinated cover stories, staged photographs, and electronic communications intended to create the appearance of legitimate tourism and personal relationships.
Further investigation revealed that Subject Illegal Recruiter had previously employed a similar scheme involving another passenger who traveled abroad and had no recorded return to the Philippines. The Department of Migrant Workers verification stated that the Recruiter and the two intercepted Subjects had no license or authorization to recruit, process, or deploy workers for overseas employment.
Thereafter, the Subjects were placed under arrest and referred for inquest proceedings for violation of Republic Act No. 9208 (Anti-Trafficking in Persons), as amended by R.A. No. 10364 and R.A. No. 11862, and R.A. No. 8042 (Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act), as amended by R.A. No. 10022 (Illegal Recruitment)

06/08/2026

PRESS RELEASE | NBI ARRESTS 22 INDIVIDUALS IN MAKATI FOR MASSIVE INVESTMENT FRAUD SCHEME
PASAY CITY, Philippines – The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has successfully dismantled a sophisticated online investment fraud operation, resulting in the arrest of twenty-two (22) individuals during a high-stakes raid in Makati City on March 30, 2026.
The joint operation, conducted by the NBI-Cybercrime Division (NBI-CCD) and the NBI-Special Action Unit (NBI-SAU), targeted an entity operating out of a business plaza on Gil Puyat Avenue. The arrests follow a detailed investigation into fraudulent trading platforms used to siphon funds from unsuspecting investors.
The investigation stemmed from a formal complaint alleging violations of Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code (Estafa) through the use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT). According to the complainant and a former employee, the group managed several online investment trading platforms in the Philippines.
Investigation revealed that the operation utilized these platforms to display inauthentic data, including fabricated trading figures, false profit indicators and manipulated account balances.
These deceptive visuals were designed to trick victims into believing their investments were yielding high returns, inducing them to invest more capital into the fraudulent system.
On March 26, 2026, the Regional Trial Court Branch 64 of Makati City issued a Search Warrant (SW) and a Warrant to Search, Seize, and Examine Computer Data (WSSECD). The warrants cited violations of Estafa in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 (R.A. 10175).
During the implementation of the warrants on March 30, NBI operatives arrested 22 employees and are currently facing charges for violating the Securities Regulation Code (R.A. 8799) in relation to R.A. 10175.
NBI Director Atty. Melvin A. Matibag reaffirmed the Bureau's commitment to purging the country of cyber-enabled financial crimes. "The NBI continues to strengthen its efforts against those who exploit technology to defraud our citizens. We advise the public to exercise extreme caution when engaging in online investment opportunities. Always verify the legitimacy of any entity offering financial services through official regulatory channels before committing your hard-earned money."

06/08/2026

NBI ARRESTS PERPETRATOR OF “SANGLA-TIRA-BENTA” SCAM IN RIZAL
PASAY CITY, Philippines – The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) announces the successful arrest of a woman accused of orchestrating a fraudulent “Sangla-Tira-Benta” scheme targeting property renters and buyers in Rizal.
On February 24, 2026, operatives from the NBI-Rizal District Office (NBI-RIZDO) conducted an entrapment operation that led to the arrest of the Subject in Cainta, Rizal.
Investigation revealed that Subject misrepresented herself as the owner of a condominium unit, advertising it for rent in a Facebook group dedicated to “sangla-tira” arrangements.
The victim entered into an agreement with the Subject, loaning her Php300,000.00. In exchange, the victim was allowed to occupy the unit as a concession for the monthly interest. Despite promises, the Subject never provided documentation proving her ownership of the unit.
Subsequently, the Subject offered to sell the leased unit to the victim for Php1,500,000.00. Relying on their prior agreement and occupancy, the victim agreed to purchase the property.
The scam was exposed when the legitimate owner of the condo unit appeared and demanded payment for two months of rental delinquency, threatening eviction if the debt was not settled. The real owner confirmed that the Subject had no authority to sell the property.
Investigation further revealed that the Subject had also illegally mortgaged the legitimate owner’s parking slot without authorization. The Subject failed to remit parking rental fees totaling Php110,000.00 for one year, along with a Php30,000.00 deficiency for the condo unit rental.
Following the complaint, NBI-RIZDO agents executed an entrapment operation on February 24, 2026, catching the Subject in the act of selling the fraudulent unit to the victim.
The Subject was presented for inquest proceedings on February 25, 2026, at the Provincial Prosecutors' Office of Rizal for violations of Estafa under Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended by R.A. 10951.
The NBI remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting the public from predatory schemes that exploit the hard-earned savings of Filipinos. This arrest serves as a stern warning to fraudsters who use social media to orchestrate complex property scams like 'Sangla-Tira-Benta

06/08/2026

PRESS RELEASE | NBI RESCUES FOUR MINOR VICTIMS FROM ONLINE EXPLOITATION
PASAY CITY, Philippines – The National Bureau of Investigation - Human Trafficking Division (NBI-HTRAD) successfully arrested two individuals and rescued four minor victims in separate operations targeting Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC).
The operations were the culmination of extensive investigations triggered by referrals from the Australian Federal Police (AFP). The collaborative international effort uncovered networks involved in the production, possession, and distribution of Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Materials (CSAEM).
The investigation was launched following digital forensic evidence shared by Australian authorities. In one instance, a search warrant executed in Australia revealed communications between an Australian national and a Filipina Facebook user. Evidence, including chat logs and financial records, confirmed the Subject was receiving payments to facilitate live-streamed abuse of her own children. A second referral identified another female Subject who was allegedly trafficking her minor child.
Financial analysis by the NBI-HTRAD substantiated sustained illicit activity, leading to the identification of the Subjects in Pampanga and Laguna. Following extensive surveillance, Warrants to Search, Seize, and Examine Computer Data (WSSECD) were issued by the Regional Trial Courts in Angeles City and San Pablo City.
In San Pablo City, Laguna, NBI-HTRAD operatives, supported by the DOJ-IACAT, local social welfare offices (CSWDO), and NGO partners, successfully arrested one female subject and rescued a minor victim.
Simultaneously, an operation in Angeles City, Pampanga, involving the NBI-DFL and the Cyber-TIP Operations Division of the DOJ NCC OSAEC CSAEM, led to the arrest of a second female Subject and the rescue of three additional minor victims.
The Subjects were presented for inquest proceedings for violations of R.A. No. 11930 (Anti-OSAEC and Anti-CSAEM Act) and R.A. 9208, as amended (Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003)
NBI Director Atty. Melvin A. Matibag emphasized the Bureau's relentless stance against those exploiting children through digital platforms.
"We will not allow those who prey on the most vulnerable to hide behind screens," said Atty. Matibag. "Those who commit crimes against children will be pursued relentlessly. Let this serve as both a warning to criminals and a reassurance to the public: the NBI remains fully committed to protecting the innocent and ensuring no offender escapes accountability."

06/08/2026

PRESS RELEASE | NBI ARRESTS AN INDIVIDUAL FOR ILLEGALLY ACCESSING AND DISTRIBUTING MINOR’S EXPLICIT VIDEO
The National Bureau of Investigation-Cybercrime Division (NBI-CCD), arrested an individual in the city of Manila for illegally accessing and distributing an explicit video of a minor from a woman’s mobile phone, in violation of anti-online child exploitation and cybercrime laws.
On 20 February 2026, a complaint was formally filed for violations of R.A. No. 11930, otherwise known as the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM), and Republic Act No. 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
Complainant alleged that the Subject illegally accessed child sexual abuse or exploitation material in her phone's gallery and distributed the same to his own Facebook Account and to his friend. During a birthday party on 07 February 2026, Subject borrowed the Complainant’s mobile phone under the pretense of taking photographs. Instead, he accessed a restricted folder labeled “Hidden Photos and Videos” and retrieved an explicit video of the Complainant recorded when she was a minor.
The Subject then transmitted the said video to himself and another individual through Facebook Messenger. Thereafter, he further distributed the material to a group chat, causing the video to circulate within the Complainant’s barangay and school community.
Investigation and cyber-surveillance established that the Subject operated his Facebook account using a mobile device at his residence located at Sikat Street, San Miguel, Manila.
Based on the evidence gathered, CCD operatives applied for and secured a Warrant to Search, Seize, and Examine Computer Data (WSSECD). The warrant was subsequently implemented at the Subject’s residence. Examination of seized devices revealed digital evidence confirming unauthorized access to the Complainant’s phone and the subsequent distribution of the illicit material.
The Subject was arrested in flagrante delicto for Illegal Access under Section 4(a)(1) of Republic Act No. 10175. He was informed of his constitutional rights at the time of arrest. All seized items were properly inventoried, and the Subject underwent standard post-arrest procedures, including medical examination, booking, and documentation.
The Subject is currently undergoing post-operation processing and will be presented for inquest proceedings before the Office of the City Prosecutor of Manila.
NBI Director Atty. Melvin A. Matibag said that the NBI remains firm in its commitment to uphold the law and protect individuals, especially minors, from all forms of online exploitation. “We recognize that our work is strengthened through continued public trust and vigilance. We encourage everyone to report similar incidents so that appropriate action can be taken without delay

NBI Anti-Cybercrime Complaint Desk

08/08/2026

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