Taiwanese scam suspect nabbed for posing as FBI agent
The National Bureau of Investigation has arrested a Taiwanese national in Parañaque City claiming to be an agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of the United States, with the apparent intent to scam foreigners.
Aside from the Taiwanese suspect, NBI agents also arrested a Malaysian national—his supposed accomplice—and three Filipinos allegedly serving as his staff.
NBI Director Melvin Matibag said the bureau’s Special Action Unit conducted an operation last Monday at Multinational Village, after receiving intelligence information about the suspect’s alleged scheme.
In an interview on Wednesday, he said the suspect had offered to assist foreign nationals settle their various concerns in the United States in exchange for money.
The suspect “had a badge and what appeared to be a document to [show that he] represented the FBI,” Matibag said.
Furthermore, he claimed he could assist in some cases and put in order some papers related to the FBI and the US Department of Justice.
So that’s how we were able to [conduct] a setup where we caught him,” Matibag said.
The operation was conducted in accordance with a warrant to search, seize and examine computer data, which the bureau secured from the Regional Trial Court of Parañaque City.
The suspects will be charged with usurpation of authority as well as computer-related forgery, since social media was also used to carry out their supposed scheme.
Matibag said the NBI is coordinating with its counterparts in the US Embassy to turn over the victimized foreign nationals who have actual cases in the United States.
He added that the bureau will conduct follow-up operations to determine whether other individuals are using the same scheme.
