Cordillera’s NUMBER ONE most wanted cyber scammer busted in Bicol

Baguio City, Philippines – From luring internet users while hiding behind screens, the 25-year-old top scammer in the Cordillera region is now in shackles following her arrest in Bicol earlier this week.

Armed with warrants issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 79 in Baguio City, joint operatives arrested the suspect, identified by the alias “Anne,” at Sitio Tanza, Barangay Poblacion Zone II, Del Gallego, Camarines Sur, on Monday afternoon, January 12, 2025.

“Anne” is listed as the No. 1 Regional Most Wanted Person of the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit (RACU)–Cordillera.

Police said she is facing multiple cases, including violation of Republic Act (RA) No. 10175, otherwise known as the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, in relation to Section 9(s) of RA No. 8484, or the Access Devices Regulation Act of 1998, as amended by RA No. 11449.

She is accused of fraudulently accessing applications, online banking platforms, ATM, credit card, and debit card accounts.

In addition, “Anne” is also facing charges for money muling activities under Section 4(a) of RA No. 12010, otherwise known as the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act (AFASA). These include using, borrowing, selling, or lending financial accounts for yscams, as well as opening accounts under fake names or recruiting others to do so.

Bail was set at P192,000 for all her violations.

Her arrest was the result of a joint operation involving Station 7 of the Baguio City Police Office, RACU–Cordillera, the Camarines Sur Anti-Cybercrime Unit, the 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company, the Provincial Intelligence Unit of the Camarines Sur Police Provincial Office, the Del Gallego Municipal Police Station, and the Regional Intelligence Unit 5 of the NCR Intelligence Team.

In its weekly accomplishment report, the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group disclosed that a total of 21 cybercrime suspects were arrested in operations conducted from January 2 to 8. Of these, 15 were caught through entrapment, while six were wanted persons who were successfully tracked and arrested.

“Beyond enforcement, the PNP underscored the importance of vigilance and public awareness as cyber threats grow more complex,” the PNP said in a statement.