NBI arrests suspects for collecting money through hacked account

DAVAO CITY - Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Monday arrested three suspects for allegedly conniving with a hacker who purportedly takes over Facebook accounts to steal money from his victims.

The NBI-Davao Region apprehended suspects Noli Carajasan, Jessie Suansing and 8-month pregnant Stephanie Tagyamon in an entrapment operation at a money remittance outlet Monday afternoon.

The three are accused of working with an alleged hacker known as Dennis Paler, said to be staying in Tagbilaran, Bohol.

NBI Regional Director Atty. Arnold Rosales said they were busted while about to claim the cash the complainant's relatives had sent, unknowing that their loved one's account was hacked.

It was the family's second remittance after initially sending P22,000 to the complainant, believing she was the one who sent messages asking for financial help. Names of the complainant and her relatives were withheld upon request.

One of the complainant's relatives based in Cebu sent the cash after receiving messages on April 15 and 16 from the hacked account. The NBI found out that the woman's Facebook account was hacked earlier this year.

The relative became suspicious upon receiving another message from the hacked account on April 17. At that point, the relative decided to ask one of the complainant's children why she has been asking for money.

When the complainant knew about it, she asked the NBI's help to go after the suspects.

"Ginamit ang Facebook para makatransact sa mga kamag-anak, nanghingi ng pera tapos nalaman nalang ng mga kamag-anak nya na hindi siya ang nanghihingi ng pera," Rosales said.

(They used Facebook to transact with [the complainant's] relatives then asked for me, then the relatives just learned that she wasn't the one asking for money)

The suspects admitted to working with Paler, saying they earned P2,000 per cash collection through a hacked account.

"Hatagan mi komisyon tag 2 thousand" said Suansing.

(We receive two thousand pesos as commission.)

"Kabalo gud ko nga illegal pero kailangan man nako kwarta" said the pregnant Tagyamon.

(I know its illegal but I really need money.)

The suspects will be charged with estafa in relation to Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.