2 weeks ago
8
Upgrade to High-Speed Internet for only ₱1499/month!
Enjoy up to 100 Mbps fiber broadband, perfect for browsing, streaming, and gaming.
Visit Suniway.ph to learn
CEBU CITY — Authorities shut down a business process outsourcing firm in Barangay Kasambagan, Cebu City, allegedly operating as a "scam hub," after a viral video exposé prompted police to intensify their crackdown on cyber fraud.
SCAM HUB Authorities inspect an abandoned business process outsourcing office in Barangay Kasambagan, Cebu City, shut down on May 20, 2025, after a viral video exposed its alleged involvement in online investment scams targeting African countries. The site was found empty with equipment and personal items left behind. PHOTO BY KAISER JAN FUENTES
Personnel from the Police Regional Office Central Visayas (PRO 7) and the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) conducted an ocular inspection at the site on Tuesday, May 20, a day after the video surfaced on social media, allegedly revealing the office's involvement in online investment scams.
In the video posted by YouTube creator "mrwn," the company's agents were seen pretending to be foreigners based in other countries, persuading individuals in African nations to invest money with the promise of financial growth.
The now-abandoned office, located on the second floor of a building was found empty, with computers and personal items still left on desks.
Police said it was subleased to the alleged operators, who vacated the space after the video gained attention online.
Get the latest news
delivered to your inbox
Sign up for The Manila Times newsletters
By signing up with an email address, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
BGen. Redrico Maranan, PRO 7 director, led the inspection alongside CCPO Director Col. Enrico Figueroa.
During the inspection, Maranan said authorities are working to secure a cyber warrant to examine the seized computers and devices.
The police official emphasized that this was how law enforcement responds to cyber fraud.
"We, in the law enforcement agency of the Philippine National Police, will continue to monitor and fulfill our mandate, and just like in this case, it was exposed through Facebook and a hacker," he said.
Maranan urged those using cyberspace for illegal activities to stop, warning that the public is now more vigilant and will report such schemes to authorities.
He noted that the alleged scam operation was exposed through social media by a hacker and encouraged tech-savvy individuals with similar skills to report any suspicious activities they uncover to law enforcement agencies.
"We are calling on everyone with those kinds of skills to report to all law enforcement agencies if they discover anything," said Maranan.
He confirmed that police already have a list of the employees connected to the operation and urged them to cooperate.
Maranan said authorities are giving the employees a chance to clear their names, urging those uninvolved to visit the CCPO and explain their side.
He warned that those who refuse to cooperate and continue to hide will face criminal charges and could face a minimum of 12 years in prison.
Police said about 30 to 40 individuals were believed to be working in the operation. All involved in the operations are Filipinos; however, their address of origin is yet to be confirmed.
Figueroa, for his part, said the alleged scam had raised suspicions among neighbors even before the exposé.
"They were already suspicious from the beginning because it didn't seem normal. There was a lot of shouting, loud music playing — like it wasn't a legitimate office," he said.
He added that the equipment found in the office appeared fully operational before it was abandoned.
Figueroa also noted that the site had stopped operations since May 16 and that a show-cause order was issued to the management and those who undertook the subleasing.
He said they will identify potential identities captured on CCTV.
He said the building owner may also be held liable if proven aware of the illicit nature of the operations.
The police are now working with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the Business Permit and Licensing Office in building a case under the Anti-Cybercrime Law.
