THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said on Tuesday it arrested 17 foreigners — 15 Chinese, one Malaysian and one Taiwanese — involved in large-scale online scams.

"This operation serves as a clear message that the NBI will not tolerate cybercriminal activities. We are committed to protecting our citizens and maintaining the integrity of our cyber environment," NBI Director Jaime Santiago said.

ONLINE SCAM SUSPECTS National Bureau of Investigation Director Jaime Santiago presents arrested foreigners to members of the media on Oct. 15, 2024. PHOTO BY ISMAEL DE JUAN
ONLINE SCAM SUSPECTS National Bureau of Investigation Director Jaime Santiago presents arrested foreigners to members of the media on Oct. 15, 2024. PHOTO BY ISMAEL DE JUAN

He added that during the operation conducted on Friday, the agency's cybercrime division operatives executed a warrant to search, seize and examine computer data at a property located at 3840 Mascardo Street in Tejeros, Makati City.

The 17 foreigners were allegedly caught in the act of implementing illicit online schemes.

National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Jaime Santiago presents to members of the media 17 foreigners in an operation by the NBI-Cybercrime Division (NBI-CCD) during a press conference at the NBI office in Quezon City on Oct. 15, 2024. The suspects were allegedly involved in schemes, illegal access, misuse of devices, computer-related forgery, and fraud which is in violation of Republic Act (RA) 12010 (Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act) and RA 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012). PHOTOS BY ISMAEL DE JUAN
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Jaime Santiago presents to members of the media 17 foreigners in an operation by the NBI-Cybercrime Division (NBI-CCD) during a press conference at the NBI office in Quezon City on Oct. 15, 2024. The suspects were allegedly involved in schemes, illegal access, misuse of devices, computer-related forgery, and fraud which is in violation of Republic Act (RA) 12010 (Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act) and RA 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012). PHOTOS BY ISMAEL DE JUAN
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Jaime Santiago presents to members of the media 17 foreigners in an operation by the NBI-Cybercrime Division (NBI-CCD) during a press conference at the NBI office in Quezon City on Oct. 15, 2024. The suspects were allegedly involved in schemes, illegal access, misuse of devices, computer-related forgery, and fraud which is in violation of Republic Act (RA) 12010 (Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act) and RA 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012). PHOTOS BY ISMAEL DE JUAN
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Jaime Santiago presents to members of the media 17 foreigners in an operation by the NBI-Cybercrime Division (NBI-CCD) during a press conference at the NBI office in Quezon City on Oct. 15, 2024. The suspects were allegedly involved in schemes, illegal access, misuse of devices, computer-related forgery, and fraud which is in violation of Republic Act (RA) 12010 (Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act) and RA 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012). PHOTOS BY ISMAEL DE JUAN
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Jaime Santiago presents to members of the media 17 foreigners in an operation by the NBI-Cybercrime Division (NBI-CCD) during a press conference at the NBI office in Quezon City on Oct. 15, 2024. The suspects were allegedly involved in schemes, illegal access, misuse of devices, computer-related forgery, and fraud which is in violation of Republic Act (RA) 12010 (Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act) and RA 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012). PHOTOS BY ISMAEL DE JUAN
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Jaime Santiago presents to members of the media 17 foreigners in an operation by the NBI-Cybercrime Division (NBI-CCD) during a press conference at the NBI office in Quezon City on Oct. 15, 2024. The suspects were allegedly involved in schemes, illegal access, misuse of devices, computer-related forgery, and fraud which is in violation of Republic Act (RA) 12010 (Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act) and RA 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012). PHOTOS BY ISMAEL DE JUAN
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Jaime Santiago presents to members of the media 17 foreigners in an operation by the NBI-Cybercrime Division (NBI-CCD) during a press conference at the NBI office in Quezon City on Oct. 15, 2024. The suspects were allegedly involved in schemes, illegal access, misuse of devices, computer-related forgery, and fraud which is in violation of Republic Act (RA) 12010 (Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act) and RA 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012). PHOTOS BY ISMAEL DE JUAN
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Jaime Santiago presents to members of the media 17 foreigners in an operation by the NBI-Cybercrime Division (NBI-CCD) during a press conference at the NBI office in Quezon City on Oct. 15, 2024. The suspects were allegedly involved in schemes, illegal access, misuse of devices, computer-related forgery, and fraud which is in violation of Republic Act (RA) 12010 (Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act) and RA 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012). PHOTOS BY ISMAEL DE JUAN
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Jaime Santiago presents to members of the media 17 foreigners in an operation by the NBI-Cybercrime Division (NBI-CCD) during a press conference at the NBI office in Quezon City on Oct. 15, 2024. The suspects were allegedly involved in schemes, illegal access, misuse of devices, computer-related forgery, and fraud which is in violation of Republic Act (RA) 12010 (Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act) and RA 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012). PHOTOS BY ISMAEL DE JUAN
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Jaime Santiago presents to members of the media 17 foreigners in an operation by the NBI-Cybercrime Division (NBI-CCD) during a press conference at the NBI office in Quezon City on Oct. 15, 2024. The suspects were allegedly involved in schemes, illegal access, misuse of devices, computer-related forgery, and fraud which is in violation of Republic Act (RA) 12010 (Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act) and RA 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012). PHOTOS BY ISMAEL DE JUAN
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Jaime Santiago presents to members of the media 17 foreigners in an operation by the NBI-Cybercrime Division (NBI-CCD) during a press conference at the NBI office in Quezon City on Oct. 15, 2024. The suspects were allegedly involved in schemes, illegal access, misuse of devices, computer-related forgery, and fraud which is in violation of Republic Act (RA) 12010 (Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act) and RA 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012). PHOTOS BY ISMAEL DE JUAN
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Jaime Santiago presents to members of the media 17 foreigners in an operation by the NBI-Cybercrime Division (NBI-CCD) during a press conference at the NBI office in Quezon City on Oct. 15, 2024. The suspects were allegedly involved in schemes, illegal access, misuse of devices, computer-related forgery, and fraud which is in violation of Republic Act (RA) 12010 (Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act) and RA 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012). PHOTOS BY ISMAEL DE JUAN
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Jaime Santiago presents to members of the media 17 foreigners in an operation by the NBI-Cybercrime Division (NBI-CCD) during a press conference at the NBI office in Quezon City on Oct. 15, 2024. The suspects were allegedly involved in schemes, illegal access, misuse of devices, computer-related forgery, and fraud which is in violation of Republic Act (RA) 12010 (Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act) and RA 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012). PHOTOS BY ISMAEL DE JUAN
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Jaime Santiago presents to members of the media 17 foreigners in an operation by the NBI-Cybercrime Division (NBI-CCD) during a press conference at the NBI office in Quezon City on Oct. 15, 2024. The suspects were allegedly involved in schemes, illegal access, misuse of devices, computer-related forgery, and fraud which is in violation of Republic Act (RA) 12010 (Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act) and RA 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012). PHOTOS BY ISMAEL DE JUAN
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Jaime Santiago presents to members of the media 17 foreigners in an operation by the NBI-Cybercrime Division (NBI-CCD) during a press conference at the NBI office in Quezon City on Oct. 15, 2024. The suspects were allegedly involved in schemes, illegal access, misuse of devices, computer-related forgery, and fraud which is in violation of Republic Act (RA) 12010 (Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act) and RA 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012). PHOTOS BY ISMAEL DE JUAN
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Jaime Santiago presents to members of the media 17 foreigners in an operation by the NBI-Cybercrime Division (NBI-CCD) during a press conference at the NBI office in Quezon City on Oct. 15, 2024. The suspects were allegedly involved in schemes, illegal access, misuse of devices, computer-related forgery, and fraud which is in violation of Republic Act (RA) 12010 (Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act) and RA 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012). PHOTOS BY ISMAEL DE JUAN
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Jaime Santiago presents to members of the media 17 foreigners in an operation by the NBI-Cybercrime Division (NBI-CCD) during a press conference at the NBI office in Quezon City on Oct. 15, 2024. The suspects were allegedly involved in schemes, illegal access, misuse of devices, computer-related forgery, and fraud which is in violation of Republic Act (RA) 12010 (Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act) and RA 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012). PHOTOS BY ISMAEL DE JUAN
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Jaime Santiago presents to members of the media 17 foreigners in an operation by the NBI-Cybercrime Division (NBI-CCD) during a press conference at the NBI office in Quezon City on Oct. 15, 2024. The suspects were allegedly involved in schemes, illegal access, misuse of devices, computer-related forgery, and fraud which is in violation of Republic Act (RA) 12010 (Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act) and RA 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012). PHOTOS BY ISMAEL DE JUAN
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Jaime Santiago presents to members of the media 17 foreigners in an operation by the NBI-Cybercrime Division (NBI-CCD) during a press conference at the NBI office in Quezon City on Oct. 15, 2024. The suspects were allegedly involved in schemes, illegal access, misuse of devices, computer-related forgery, and fraud which is in violation of Republic Act (RA) 12010 (Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act) and RA 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012). PHOTOS BY ISMAEL DE JUAN
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Jaime Santiago presents to members of the media 17 foreigners in an operation by the NBI-Cybercrime Division (NBI-CCD) during a press conference at the NBI office in Quezon City on Oct. 15, 2024. The suspects were allegedly involved in schemes, illegal access, misuse of devices, computer-related forgery, and fraud which is in violation of Republic Act (RA) 12010 (Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act) and RA 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012). PHOTOS BY ISMAEL DE JUAN

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.

Among the items seized were desktop computers, laptops and mobile phones that were allegedly used in cybercrimes.

The NBI said the seized electronic devices contained tools and applications for social engineering schemes, illegal access, misuse of devices, as well as computer-related forgery and fraud, all in violation of Republic Act 12010, or the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act, and Republic Act 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

The confiscated items will further undergo forensic examination, the NBI said.