Reported Violation (Cybercrime Law)
“Seven (7) members of syndicate are arrested for fraud – April 2020”
All committing crime legally needs to be punished when it appeals to the court.
Committing crimes is not just about killing or any physical attack, In 2012 the Senate and House
of the Representative passed the Republic Act No. 10175 of Cybercrime Prevention Law
concerning legal issues against online transaction and interaction, it is an Act of Defining
Cybercrime, Providing for the Prevention, Investigation, Suppression, and the Imposition of
Penalties and other Purposes. The Senate approves the bill as it concerns a new generation
lifestyle, a life that depends on the internet or social media. The technologies and other devices
are modernized in the new generation even the persons' data and information are on the
computers. But using these technologies can be harmful as it used and manipulated by wicked
persons.
On April 30, 2020, 8:28 pm. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Cybercrime
Division arrested (7) seven members of the syndicate, ages (17 to 23 years old) with a warrant.
The (6) six members are arrested in Imus, Cavite. Suspects withdraw using various bank
accounts. Ryan Tenerife is one of the suspects, and according to him, they did it because of the
current situation caused by lockdown (COVID 19), and they do not have many sources of
income to survive. In Laguna, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Cybercrime Division
also arrested Fernando Tiolengco with a warrant. He is the hacker who delivers fake bank emails
to the victims to know the password, data, and other personal information used to steal or
transfer the money. According to the suspect, he intends to email a website link where the victim
needs to visit, and when it opens, the data and information of the victim will sync to get the
database (emails and passcodes). In their hideout, ATM, credit, sim cards, and money counter are
confiscated by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Cybercrime Division. They violated
the crime of Computer Related Fraud under the Punishable Act Section 4 of Cybercrime
Computer Related Offenses of Republic Act No. 10175. The cases of cybercrime law increase
according to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) during pandemic (COVID 19).
According to Atty. Michelle Valdez the Executive Officer of NBI Cybercrime Division, the cases
of online fraud are rapidly increasing and possibly to continue in the future because people are
confined in their houses and resort to online activity reason for easily victimize and vulnerably
generate to access malicious emails from the hackers. That is why the NBI cybercrime Division
reminds people to be careful and, do not easily give personal information details online like one-
time passwords, especially birthdate, address, and email address on filling out raffle promos.
The case was committed due to the financial problem caused by the current pandemic
crises (COVID 19). But it does not mean that they need to do such horrible things to victimize
other people just to get money because they also make a living, and they also suffer in crisis.
Looking at the case, they committed Illegal Access under the Punishable Act Section 4
Cybercrime Offenses Law against the confidentiality of data and system also the Computer
Related Identity Thief under the Punishable Act Section 4 Cybercrime Offenses against
Computer Related Offenses since they steal other people information and intentionally use it to
transfer money. Aside from this case, there are also other hacking cases linking in Cybercrime
Law in the Philippines but committed by foreign people such as the arrested (4) Nigerian
Nationals in Muntinlupa city on September 8, 2020, for suspected involvement in an
international syndicate that hacked and extort capital from Philippine bank. The NBI claimed
that the Nigerian nationals had breached Access Device Law, Anti-Cyber Criminal Law, and
Public Documents Falsification. Meanwhile, on September 18, 2019 (4) four Nigerian nationals
were also arrested for Estafa, Illegal use of access devices, and Counterfeit banknotes.
Monitoring these reported crimes, most people will think that the Philippines is in a critical
situation given that there are wicked Filipinos and Foreigners who recklessly victimized others
just for their personal needs. The mentioned crime is all punishable by law but, emotionally and
financially affect the people (victims, relatives, witnesses, etc.)
Therefore, people are reminded by the government to be cautious in giving such
information that might sync to other devices, which can cause identity damage and ominous
outcomes. Difficulties and problems are common to encounter but, it is not right to take that as a
reason for doing horrible things such as crimes. Offenses can change a person's life in just one
click, and the wrongdoings that can damage the reputation or make people regret it. Proposing of
different bills is for the people to learn from their mistakes and to act as a good citizen or to
make a limit of actions. As Malcolm X said, people who made offenses are not embarrassing
unless they remain and choose to be criminals.
