41 Cybersex Operators Arrested in the Philippines

[ASEAN NOW News]

MANILA – A total of 41 individuals engaged in cybersex operations were arrested in simultaneous anti-cybercrime operations in three different locations in Valenzuela City and Batangas province yesterday according to The Government’s News Agency.

 

Police officers account for pieces of evidence during a raid in a cybersex operations center in Valenzuela City on Tuesday . (Photo courtesy of PNP)

 

Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, in a statement on Wednesday, said the operations were conducted by the Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) in coordination with the city police of Valenzuela, Lipa, and Sto. Tomas, and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center.

 

Citing reports from the ACG, Eleazar said the operating units busted the cybersex activities of the suspects disguised as legitimate call center representatives operating in commercial establishments in Barangay Paso de Blas, Valenzuela City and Lipa City, Batangas, and in a residential area in Sto. Tomas, Batangas.

 

The operation stemmed from information received from a concerned citizen via the PNP's Enhanced, Anti-Cybercrime Campaign, Education, Safety, and Security (E-Access) platform regarding suspicious call center activities in these areas.

 

Investigation disclosed that these cybersex syndicates have been victimizing netizens by offering erotic massage services in exchange for certain registration fees using credit cards.

 

Eleazar said the suspects, who disguised themselves as US-based young and attractive men and women, blocked the victims’ online registration after taking at least USD50 (about PHP2,500) from each credit card account.

 

Authorities also seized several pieces of evidence, such as desktop computers that would be subjected to digital forensic examinations for further investigation.

 

The arrested suspects are now under the custody of the Valenzuela City Police, Lipa City Police, and Sto. Tomas City Police and will be facing charges under Section 4 (c) (1) (Cybersex) of Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

 

This is a global problem

 

The global spread of cheap, high-speed internet and the rise in mobile phone ownership has fueled cybersex crimes in recent years, with children from Thailand to the Philippines being also exploited over livestreams for paying clients worldwide.

 

Officials and activists have seen cybersex abuse worsen under the coronavirus pandemic as families have struggled to earn a living while children have been at home and online, fueling calls for better child education on internet safety.

 

Last week, the PNP launched the E-Access online verification platform aimed at improving response to cybercrime cases. (PNA)

 

[olfu]

Why anybody willing to pay for illusion when plenty of porno sites are free?

[CrunchWrapSupreme]

Years ago, when I was a lonely young man, the Philippine dating sites were a godsend. The ladies I talked to were all well within legal age. I've always had a thing for older women. They're a lot more neglected too. We built ongoing, long distance relationships, and for just kicking them a few bucks here and there, to recharge their phones and buy some groceries, we er, satisfied each other's needs. A lot cheaper than this OnlyFans thing the kids are into these days.