Over 250 criminals arrested after police raids scam compound targeting Aussies in the Philippines
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In a world where technology has brought us closer together, it has also opened the door to new forms of criminal activity that can easily reach across oceans and borders.
A recent crackdown in the Philippines uncovered a scam operation targeting Australians, exposing the dark side of the digital revolution.
A Manila-based scam compound has specifically targeted Australians, particularly men over the age of 35, in sophisticated cryptocurrency fraud schemes.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) executed a search warrant last month in central Manila’s Pasay City in collaboration with Philippine authorities.
The operation led to the arrest of more than 250 suspected cybercriminals, including 68 Filipino nationals and numerous foreign nationals.
The AFP's investigation revealed that these scammers used social media and dating applications to build trust with their victims before luring them.
‘The scammers would communicate with victims to build trust before asking them to invest money in a fraudulent cryptocurrency trading platform,’ the AFP said.
‘The alleged scammers were working shifts to align with Australian time zones.’
During the raid, officers seized an alarming amount of equipment used in the scamming operations, including over 300 computer towers, over 1,000 mobile phones, and thousands of SIM cards.
Two AFP members and a Manila-based AFP liaison officer thoroughly searched the compound alongside local partners to gather intelligence on Australian scam victims.
‘AFP technical experts and cryptocurrency experts, with the Philippines Presidential Anti-Organised Crime Commission (PAOCC) and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), are now collecting information about who was targeted and the methodologies used to extract cash from victims,’ the AFP said.
According to AFP Assistant Commissioner David McLean, this operation marks the first time investigators have gained access to a scam centre compound.
‘A large portion of cybercrime affecting Australians originates offshore, and this action shows how the AFP and its international partners are proactively taking the fight to these syndicates where they operate,’ McLean said.
‘We commend the PAOCC and NBI for their work in identifying this boiler room and taking swift action to shut it down.’
‘I thank them for the trust they have shown in the AFP by allowing us to work with them.’
‘We have gathered valuable intelligence on the structure of these types of scam call centres, how they are targeting Australians and the ways to help identify victims.’
‘An AFP cryptocurrency expert was given a unique insight into the financial and money laundering structures operating within these hubs, and that will be immensely helpful in developing our strategies in combatting this crime impacting Australia.’
In light of these events, the AFP has issued a warning to Australians to remain vigilant against scams.
They advise scepticism towards urgent requests for money or personal information, even from seemingly trusted sources.
They recommend using search engines and social media to verify the background and identity of individuals and companies.
Additionally, they caution against romance scammers who may express love or strong emotions quickly to manipulate their targets emotionally.
The AFP urges the public to trust their instincts—if something seems too good to be true, it probably is—and to report suspicious profiles or interactions to the appropriate authorities.
You may also report the scam to Scamwatch here.
Head over to our Scam Watch forum to stay updated with the latest tricks scammers use to deceive people out of their money and sensitive details.
Have you or someone you know been affected by similar fraudulent activities? How do you ensure the safety of your online investments? Share them with us in the comments below.
A recent crackdown in the Philippines uncovered a scam operation targeting Australians, exposing the dark side of the digital revolution.
A Manila-based scam compound has specifically targeted Australians, particularly men over the age of 35, in sophisticated cryptocurrency fraud schemes.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) executed a search warrant last month in central Manila’s Pasay City in collaboration with Philippine authorities.
AFP and Philippine authorities arrested over 250 criminals in a scam compound located in the Philippines. Credit: Australian Federal Police
The operation led to the arrest of more than 250 suspected cybercriminals, including 68 Filipino nationals and numerous foreign nationals.
The AFP's investigation revealed that these scammers used social media and dating applications to build trust with their victims before luring them.
‘The scammers would communicate with victims to build trust before asking them to invest money in a fraudulent cryptocurrency trading platform,’ the AFP said.
‘The alleged scammers were working shifts to align with Australian time zones.’
During the raid, officers seized an alarming amount of equipment used in the scamming operations, including over 300 computer towers, over 1,000 mobile phones, and thousands of SIM cards.
Two AFP members and a Manila-based AFP liaison officer thoroughly searched the compound alongside local partners to gather intelligence on Australian scam victims.
‘AFP technical experts and cryptocurrency experts, with the Philippines Presidential Anti-Organised Crime Commission (PAOCC) and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), are now collecting information about who was targeted and the methodologies used to extract cash from victims,’ the AFP said.
According to AFP Assistant Commissioner David McLean, this operation marks the first time investigators have gained access to a scam centre compound.
‘A large portion of cybercrime affecting Australians originates offshore, and this action shows how the AFP and its international partners are proactively taking the fight to these syndicates where they operate,’ McLean said.
‘We commend the PAOCC and NBI for their work in identifying this boiler room and taking swift action to shut it down.’
‘I thank them for the trust they have shown in the AFP by allowing us to work with them.’
‘We have gathered valuable intelligence on the structure of these types of scam call centres, how they are targeting Australians and the ways to help identify victims.’
‘An AFP cryptocurrency expert was given a unique insight into the financial and money laundering structures operating within these hubs, and that will be immensely helpful in developing our strategies in combatting this crime impacting Australia.’
In light of these events, the AFP has issued a warning to Australians to remain vigilant against scams.
They advise scepticism towards urgent requests for money or personal information, even from seemingly trusted sources.
They recommend using search engines and social media to verify the background and identity of individuals and companies.
Additionally, they caution against romance scammers who may express love or strong emotions quickly to manipulate their targets emotionally.
The AFP urges the public to trust their instincts—if something seems too good to be true, it probably is—and to report suspicious profiles or interactions to the appropriate authorities.
You may also report the scam to Scamwatch here.
Head over to our Scam Watch forum to stay updated with the latest tricks scammers use to deceive people out of their money and sensitive details.
Have you or someone you know been affected by similar fraudulent activities? How do you ensure the safety of your online investments? Share them with us in the comments below.
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