Ched Rick Gatchalian

Arestado ang 2 lalaki matapos makuhanan ng IMSI catcher na ginagamit ng mga scammer para makakonekta sa mga cellphone at makapagpadala ng scam messages. Ayon sa pulisya, naabutan nila ang mga suspek na nag-iikot sa matataong lugar.  PNP-ACG

Article (news)

2 men nabbed for using high-tech scam device installed in vehicles

Karen De Guzman

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1760944489619G3rjL09X0AARfWr.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>Authorities arrested two men caught operating vehicles equipped with an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) catcher — a high-tech device used for scamming — in major areas of Mandaluyong and Makati City. PNP-ACG</div><div> </div>MANILA — Authorities arrested two men caught operating vehicles equipped with an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) catcher — a high-tech device used for scamming — in major areas of Mandaluyong and Makati City.The operation stemmed from an intelligence report received by the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) through its cyber patrolling, which had been monitoring individuals using IMSI catchers to send phishing SMS messages.“Ito ‘yung mga nare-receive natin, ‘yung mga text messages directing us to claim a reward from particular telco company. So nahuli natin ‘yung nag-iikot dala-dala ‘yung sasakyan with the different devices,” ACG acting director Police Brigadier General Bernard Yang said.According to Yang, the suspects specifically targeted areas in Mandaluyong and Makati to harvest mobile numbers within the vicinity.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/technology/2025/1/15/cellphone-calls-can-be-hacked-with-device-ntc-confirms-1530">Cellphone calls can be hacked with device, NTC confirms</a></div>“Once you reply to these particular text messages, at hiningi sa inyo ‘yung mga personal identification, numbers, and others, doon po magkakaproblema tayo,” he warned.Among the items seized during the arrest were IMSI catchers, SMS blasters, and other ICT equipment.These devices were immediately turned over to the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) for technical examination, then later confirmed that the suspects had no authority to possess or operate the equipment.The police revealed that while the two suspects did not know each other personally, they were believed to be working under the same syndicate.“Hindi sila magkakilala pero they have the same boss. Galing ito sa boss nila, we have one target ‘yung Filipina, whose husband or boyfriend is a Chinese national,” Yang added.“Sila ay hired by the group to just drive the car to roam around to different cities. So compartmentalize ‘yung trabaho.”Police are now investigating whether the group is linked to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/24/around-3-927-people-involved-in-pogos-remain-in-ph-says-doj-budget-sponsor-2357">Around 3,927 people involved in POGOs remain in PH, says DOJ budget sponsor</a></div>Law enforcement has also coordinated with local telecommunications providers and banking institutions to file separate charges against the suspects for hijacking official signals, making it appear that the scam messages came from legitimate sources.The suspects are facing charges for unauthorized use of telecommunications equipment, data privacy, and cybercrime-related violationsAuthorities continue their investigation as they work to identify and arrest the masterminds behind the operation.The public is reminded to stay vigilant by avoiding suspicious links sent through text or email, checking for unusual spellings or errors in messages, never sharing personal or financial information, enabling multi-factor authentication, keeping devices updated, and reporting suspicious content immediately.

The police revealed that while the two suspects did not know each other personally, they were believed to be working under the same syndicate.

The police revealed that while the two suspects did not know each other personally, they were believed to be working under the same syndicate.