Mahigit 200 arestado sa online lending firms na umano’y nagpapanggap na pulis

• Employees of several online lending firms were arrested following an operation conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Quezon City
• Authorities alleged that the companies used intimidation tactics and posed as law enforcement officers to force borrowers to settle their debts
• The NBI also confiscated various equipment allegedly used in debt collection operations, including servers, SIM cards, and digital phones
• More than 200 individuals were arrested while investigators continue to examine the seized computers and gadgets

Employees of several online lending firms were arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation following a series of raids on offices in Quezon City, according to a report by 24 Oras.

The video report showed members of the NBI Special Action Unit simultaneously raiding a building in Quezon City. Agents also entered a nearby building as part of the operation.

According to NBI Director Atty. Melvin Matibag, the establishments that were raided allegedly served as the collection arm of several online lending applications. He said authorities received complaints that the firms used intimidation tactics to pressure borrowers into paying their debts.

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"Magpapanggap ng mga law enforcement officers sila para bayaran," Matibag said in the report.

He added that some collectors allegedly used fake documents to scare borrowers.

"Magpapanggap din na may mga warrant, bench warrant at kung ano-ano pang dokumento upang mapwersang magbayad," he added.

During the operation, the NBI discovered various pieces of equipment allegedly used in the collection activities. These included servers, text blast equipment, SIM cards, and digital phones used to contact borrowers.

Authorities also reportedly found intimidation scripts, photos of police officers, and messages that appeared to come from the Philippine National Police and the NBI on seized mobile phones and computers.

Investigators further claimed that the firms used text messaging software capable of changing the sender's number or company name, making messages appear as if they came from legitimate government agencies.

Another alleged practice uncovered by the NBI involved the regular deletion of messages.

According to investigators, communications were reportedly deleted every three months to make it more difficult to trace threatening messages sent to clients.

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However, a supervisor from one of the companies denied the allegations against their operations.

"Kung hindi nga po ako marunong mangolekta, magbibigay pa ako ng script. So malinis kami. Malinis ako kahit sa mga bangko," the supervisor said.

The supervisor also insisted that the materials discovered by authorities may have come from other employees or former personnel hired by the company.

While the confiscated computers and gadgets remain under digital forensic examination, the NBI said that more than 200 individuals were arrested during the operation.

The suspects could face multiple charges, including illegal use of electronic devices, impersonating police officers, and using fake documents or warrants, depending on the outcome of the investigation.

The operation highlighted the NBI's efforts to crack down on allegedly illegal debt collection practices used against borrowers.

Watch the video below:

In other news, a tragic altercation in Bocaue resulted in the death of a 45-year-old woman after she was reportedly attacked by her younger half-brother. Law enforcement officials indicated that the conflict was triggered by a disagreement regarding a request for fare money.

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Still in other news, a 37-year-old resident of Bokod was apprehended for the alleged murder of his 74-year-old mother within their shared community. The grim discovery occurred when a nearby resident noticed remains partially exposed from a shallow grave in the area. Investigators uncovered forensic evidence and bloodstains within the residence that the suspect occupied with the deceased. Local police are currently conducting a deeper inquiry to determine the specific reasons behind this violent act.

In other developments, emergency responders in Zamboanga City successfully extracted a 10-foot python found coiled inside a parked car, an operation recorded in a Bureau of Fire Protection video that quickly went viral. In Aurora, wildlife officials safely released a Northern Luzon giant cloud rat back into its natural forest environment to help conserve the rare and elusive endemic species.

Source: KAMI.com.gh