Office of Cybercrime

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A delegation from the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs paid a courtesy call to the DOJ Office of Cybercrime.

The meeting was attended by Ms. Sophie Bazard, French Police Expert on Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Regional Technical Consultant in Southeast Asia, and Mr. Erwan Ferrand, Deputy Regional Police Attaché, together with prosecutors, state counsels, and investigation agents of the DOJ Office of Cybercrime. Discussions focused on continuing cooperation on cybercrime, online child protection, digital investigations, and strengthening international collaboration in addressing emerging cyber threats.

Dr. Aris S. Manguera, Director of DOJ Office of Cybercrime, emphasized that as cybercrime continues to transcend borders, partnerships grounded on trust, coordination, and shared expertise remain essential in protecting victims and ensuring accountability in the digital space.

The DOJ Office of Cybercrime likewise expressed its appreciation for the continued engagement and cooperation of its French counterparts.

𝐏𝐍𝐏 𝐀𝐂𝐆 𝐏𝐍𝐏 𝐀𝐂𝐆, 𝐃𝐎𝐉-𝐎𝐎𝐂, 𝐏𝐀𝐎𝐂𝐂, 𝐒𝐄𝐂, 𝐋𝐆𝐔-𝐏𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐠 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐜𝐚𝐦 𝐇𝐮𝐛; 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐁𝐨𝐬𝐬, 𝟔𝟐 𝐎𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐀𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝

On May 20, 2026, the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP ACG), together with the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), Department of Justice Office of Cybercrime (DOJ-OOC), and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and Barangay San Antonio, Pasig City, implemented a Warrant to Search, Seize, and Examine Computer Data (WSSECD) against individuals involved in a large-scale online investment scam that resulted in the arrest of 63 individuals, including a 55-year-old foreign national, alias “Boss,” who was identified as the mastermind of the operation.

The operation stemmed from complaints filed by several victims who reported being deceived into investing money after being enticed by online advertisements and contacted by individuals posing as trading assistants and investment advisers.

During the implementation of WSSECD, operatives discovered an organized scheme involving marketing personnel, telesales agents, and retention agents who are tasked to persuade victims to invest in XTRADE, an online trading or investment platform, through scripted communications using messaging apps and various online platforms.

Investigation revealed that the suspects use fake identities, manipulated victims into continuously depositing money, and controlled withdrawal requests to create the illusion of legitimate trading activities.

Furthermore, operatives discovered that the group falsely represented itself as a call center and trading-related company. However, verification revealed that the KLSJ Call Center Services and XTRADE were not registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and had no authority to solicit investments or engage in securities-related activities.

All arrested suspects are facing charges for violations of Section 4 (a) (5) Misuse of devices, Section 4 (b) (2) Computer-related Fraud, Section 5 (a) Aiding or Abetting in the Commission of Cybercrime of RA No. 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012), Section 11 of RA No. 11765 (An Act Affording More Protection to Consumers of Financial Products and Services), Section 8. Requirement of Registration of Securities, Section 26 Fraudulent Transactions, Section 28 Registration of Brokers, Dealers, Salesmen and Associated Persons of RA No. 8799 (The Securities Regulation Code), Section 4 (b) (2) of RA No. 12010 (Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act) and Article 178 (Using fictitious names and concealing true name) of the Revised Penal Code.

Upon further validation, operatives discovered that the foreign boss has a pending warrant of arrest issued by the Pasig City Regional Trial Court (RTC) for seventy (70) counts of violation of Section 254 of RA No. 8424, as amended by Republic Act No. 10963 (National Internal Revenue Code), and seventy (70) counts of violation of Section 255 of the same law, with recommended bail fixed at Php60,000.00 per count, amounting to a total bail of Php8,400,000.00.

The ACG operatives subsequently implemented the said warrant of arrest against the foreign boss at the ACG Custodial Facility on May 25, 2026.

This operation supports the directive of Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr., Chief of the PNP, to ensure the full and effective enforcement of anti-cybercrime laws and the prompt prosecution of offenders.

Police Major General Wilson C Asueta, Director of the PNP ACG, lauded the operatives for their successful and coordinated efforts. He stated, “This operation underscores our firm commitment to unmasking cybercriminals and protecting the public from online fraud and scams. We urge everyone to remain vigilant and to report any information related to illegal online activities to the nearest PNP ACG office for prompt and appropriate action.”

The legal officers of GCash held discussions with the DOJ – Office of Cybercrime (DOJ-OOC) and expressed their commitment to support the DOJ-OOC’s mandate and ongoing initiatives. They shared valuable insights on cybercrime awareness and educational campaigns, cybercrime investigation and prosecution, and digital forensics.

The DOJ-OOC appreciates the trust and confidence extended to the Office and remains committed to developing and strengthening strategies that align with its shared vision with GCash and other private sector stakeholders in addressing and curbing the increasing incidence of cybercrime.

Dr. Aris S. Manguera, Director of the Department of Justice – Office of Cybercrime (DOJ-OOC), was invited to speak at the ASEAN Science Diplomats Assembly, where he discussed the importance of strengthening regional cooperation in addressing cybercrime.

In his remarks, Dr. Manguera emphasized the need to align and harmonize the classification of cybercrimes across ASEAN, noting that common definitions and reporting frameworks are essential for effective coordination, policy development, and cross-border cooperation.

He also underscored the significance of reliable, consistent, and comparable cybercrime data as a foundation for meaningful policy analysis, evidence-based decision-making, and the development of responsive strategies against emerging cyber threats.

The DOJ-OOC remains committed to advancing a more coordinated, data-driven, and regionally responsive approach to cybercrime prevention, investigation, and prosecution.

The Department of Justice – Office of Cybercrime (DOJ-OOC) welcomed officials from the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), who paid a courtesy call to DOJ-OOC Director Dr. Aris S. Manguera and held discussions with the Office on matters relating to cybersecurity, consumer protection, cybercrime prevention and prosecution, data collection and analysis, the BPI Cyber Academy, and consumer education initiatives for the benefit of legal stakeholders and the public.

Representing BPI were Ms. Maria Elena Torrijos, Vice President and Head of Public Affairs and Communications; Atty. Christine Lovely Red-Allego, Assistant Vice President and Head of Government Relations; Atty. Mark Anthony K. Bullo, Legal Officer; Ms. Vega Fria G. Postrano, Strategic Government Relations Officer; and Ms. Dang Asis.

The DOJ-OOC recognizes the vital role of public-private sector collaboration in strengthening the government’s collective response against cybercrime and in advancing cybersecurity awareness, digital resilience, and consumer protection.

DOJ Office of Cybercrime Director Aris S. Manguera, together with NAPOLCOM, PNP DIDM, and the UP Law Center, held discussions on strengthening cybercrime data collection and analysis, the use of Artificial Intelligence, the United Nations International Classification of Crime for Statistical Purposes (ICCS), and the Philippine Crime Index Research System (PCIRS).

DOJ-OOC, BSP-CAPO, and NTC Strengthen Collaboration Against Cyber-Enabled Fraud

The Department of Justice – Office of Cybercrime (DOJ-OOC), the Consumer Account Protection Office of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP-CAPO), and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) convened a collaborative meeting to strengthen inter-agency coordination against cyber-enabled fraud, smishing, and other emerging digital threats.

Representatives from Smart Communications, Globe Telecom, GCash, Maya, and DITO Telecommunity also participated in the discussions.

The meeting focused on prevailing scam trends, the misuse of telecommunications and financial platforms, reporting and response mechanisms, and possible operational and regulatory measures to enhance consumer protection and cybercrime prevention efforts.

The body likewise agreed to collaborate on an anti-fraud public education campaign designed for broad public reach and effective cascading through coordinated, practical, and accessible messaging across government, telecommunications, and financial service platforms.

The DOJ-OOC, BSP-CAPO, and NTC reaffirmed their commitment to timely information sharing, operational coordination, public awareness, and legally sound, victim-centered approaches to safeguard consumers and strengthen the country’s digital and financial ecosystem.

Police Major General Wilson C. Asueta, Director of the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG), and Dr. Aris S. Manguera, Senior Prosecutor and Director of the DOJ Office of Cybercrime (OOC), reaffirmed the shared commitment of the ACG and OOC to strengthen inter-agency collaboration in the fight against cybercrime. Joining Dr. Manguera were Prosecutor Maño and State Counsel Awkit-Ban-eg.

The meeting covered key areas of cooperation, including the continued enhancement of cybercrime investigation and prosecution processes, the policy significance of SIM registration and AFASA in combating cybercrime, and the need to harmonize cybercrime reporting systems and classifications to improve coordination, data reliability, and enforcement efforts.

This engagement underscores the continuing commitment of both agencies to building a more coordinated, responsive, and effective national cybercrime enforcement framework.

The DOJ Office of Cybercrime investigators and prosecutors participated in the Train-the-Trainer Workshops on Child Sexual Abuse Materials (CSAM) organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).