MANILA – Authorities arrested two persons involved in an online scam in separate operations in the cities of Parañaque and Taguig.
In a report submitted to Camp Crame Wednesday, Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief, said Malvin Kistiakowsky Tianchon, 29, was arrested in Parañaque City on Tuesday afternoon.
Tianchon is reportedly engaged in cryptocurrency trading scam and is being sought by some complainants in the Philippines and Singapore.
He is facing charges of estafa in relation to Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
“For the victims of Tianchon who have yet to file a case, please do so. With the help of the Anti-Cybercrime Group at Camp Crame, we will further investigate the bitcoin anomalies allegedly committed. Rest assured that NCRPO will remain consistent in apprehending criminals," Sinas said.
The suspect was brought to the Pasay City Police Station for documentation prior to the procedural return of the warrant of arrest to the Pasay City Regional Trial Court Branch 117 where he is facing estafa charges in relation to RA 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
Also on Tuesday, the Philippine National Police-Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) arrested Kli Ban Rapista Agarrado alias Marco Castro Margarico, 22, an online seller, for alleged credit card fraud.
PNP-ACG director Brig. Gen. Dennis Agustin said Agarrado was arrested in an entrapment operation in his condominium unit in Taguig City.
Agarrado allegedly made online purchases using the credit card information of complainant Cheyenne Sibal Edlagan.
He obtained the victim's credit card information during a transaction to facilitate her payment of two Apple watches through a chat group where he is an administrator.
Using Edlagan's credit card information, the suspect allegedly made online purchases from an online retail shop. He was arrested as he received the items he purchased from a PNP-ACG agent who posed as a delivery courier.
Agustin said the suspect will be charged for violation of Section 9 of RA 8484 (Access Devices Regulation Act of 1998) as amended by RA 11449, Article 172 (falsification by private individuals and use of falsified documents), Article 178 (using fictitious name and concealing true name) and Article 315 (swindling/estafa) of RPC in relation to Section 6 of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. (PNA)