24 foreigners arrested in Makati raid

At least 24 foreigners were arrested in a raid after they were found to have been managing alleged illegal online gaming operations and producing suspected fake ATM and credit cards in Makati City Friday night.

According to Makati City police chief Senior Superintendent Gerardo Umayao, among the 24 criminals, seven were from Vietnam, two were from Uzbekistan while 15 are Chinese.

The foreigners were nabbed through a search warrant issued by Judge Eugene Paras of Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 58 at No. 2170 Paraiso Street, No. 2234 Paraiso Street, and No. 2383 Mabolo Street in Dasmariñas Village, Makati around 10:30 p.m.

"Nag-ooperate sila ng online gaming without necessary license and permit, at gumagawa ng mga cards na ginagamit for scheming," Umayao said.

Umayao admitted that these kinds of operations were difficult to monitor.

"Very technical and operation nila dahil nagma-manufacture sila ng mga fake credit cards and ATM cards, iba pa 'yung illegal gambling (online gaming) pero ang kliyente nila ay nasa China at Taiwan," he explained.

Police confiscated assorted credit cards, computers and laptops used for the online gaming, cellphones, router, drones, broadband and dangles.

The suspects were brought to Makati City Police headquarters and charged with violation of Republic Act 8484 or the Access Devices Regulation Act (fraudulent cards).