4 suspects nabbed for selling mobile devices used for illegal activities

AN entrapment operation conducted by the operatives of the Regional Special Operations Group (RSOG), NCRPO in coordination with the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) NCR resulted in the successful apprehension of a Chinese National and 3 other Filipino Nationals on November 15, 2023, along Nicanor Padilla Street, San Miguel, Manila.

The operation stemmed from the information obtained by the operatives about the illegal activities of the suspects that involved distributing and/or selling mobile phone devices without the necessary permits from the NTC. Likewise, allegedly the suspects are also selling pre-registered sim cards which ended up to individuals and/or company that operates online scamming and illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO).

On November 7, 2023, a test buy was conducted, and the mobile phone device that was bought from the suspects was submitted to NTC for examination which then showed that the mobile phone subject of test indeed has no NTC approval.

Based on the result of the examination made by the NTC on the item subject of the test buy and corresponding certification issued shows that 88 XINY TECH is not registered as a Mobile Phone Dealer nor a Customer Premises Equipment Supplier, rendering their operation unauthorized/illegal, the operatives immediately launched a buy-bust operation on November 15, 2023 that led to the arrest of the suspects who were identified as LI PENG a.k.a. DEVIN LI, male, Chinese; Anelyn Cabiling y Bolalin; Rachelle Bufete y Requiero; and Antonnette Hernandez y Terbio, and the seizure of the following pieces of evidence: (2) boxes of Redmi Note 11E containing 40 pieces of mobile phones; Sales Invoice/Receipt for 2 boxes of Redmi Note11E; Two (2) pieces of genuine powder dusted PHP1,000.00 Peso Bills with serial numbers S772069 and S772070 with boodle money and placed in a white envelope amounting to Php 200,000.00; One (1) box containing 52 pieces of second-hand iPhones of assorted models; One (1) box containing 50 pieces of iPhone of assorted models; One (1) box containing 63 pieces of Redmi, Oppo, and Honor mobile phones ; One (1) box containing 20 pieces of Redmi Note11R; One (1) box containing 20 pieces of Redmi Note11E; and Four (4) boxes containing 20 pieces each of Redmi 125G

Meanwhile, the arrested suspects are currently detained at the RSOG office for proper disposition, and criminal complaints for violation of R.A. 7394 otherwise known as the Consumer Protection Act in relation to R.A. 3846, as amended and R.A. 7925 were filed at Manila City Prosecutor’s Office.

In a message from NCRPO Chief, PMGen Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr he said, “This accomplishment serves as a testament to tireless efforts of Team NCRPO in the fight against fraudulent activities in the region. We have intensified our operations against these schemes to eliminate the threats of online scamming, illegal POGO operations, and other illegal activities that may inflict harm to the public.”