THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Tuesday bared the arrest of a suspected member of an organized syndicate allegedly involved in the fraudulent use and production of automated teller machine cards and other local and international credit cards.
Arrested by the NBI Cyber Crime Division was Gerard Joseph Liwag for alleged violation of Republic Act 8484, or the Access Device Regulation Act of 1998, in relation to R.A. 10175, otherwise known as the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
Liwag was arrested in a plush condominium tower in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) by virtue of an arrest warrant issued by the Regional Trial Court of Pasig City.
An operation was drawn up by the NBI’s cyberime group after receiving a complaint filed by a representative of a big commercial bank against Liwag for illegal use and production of ATM and credit cards.
Based on the information gathered by authorities, the modus operandi of Liwag’s group is to secure information and credit card details through call centers and other business establishment skimmers.
Liwag would contact his cohorts to ask for expiry date and available credit limits and will activate installment option for high value purchase to be approved upon usage of the credit card details.
The suspect would then use the credit cards and go on a shopping spree.
The NBI also searched Liwag’s condominium unit which resulted in the seizure of sophisticated gadgets used in his illegal activities.
Liwag has been presented for inquest proceedings before the Department of Justice.