The Philippines police have arrested 13 Nigerians and a Filipino accomplice said to be behind an online scamming syndicate that victimised Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and other nationalities during raids conducted overnight in Imus City in Cavite province at the weekend.
Imus City Police Chief Supt. Audi Madrideo said members of what he described as an “online syndicate” would create fraudulent Facebook accounts, with stolen photos and profiles, and pose as members of the United States military.
One of the alleged group leaders, Emmanuel Nnandi, was arrested in an entrapment operation around 7:30 pm Sunday, in a money transfer outlet in Barangay (village) Tanzang Luma 2.
Nnandi led authorities to other members of the group who were consequently collared from three apartments. Police found out that the Nigerians had entered the country using student visas.
It was allegedly the same group faced complaints in Pasay City and Las Piñas City before they moved to Cavite province.
Authorities are now preparing to file a case of syndicated estafa against the suspects.
