The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
Two former Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) employees were arrested in Las Piñas City for allegedly selling counterfeit money online, the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP ACG) reported on Friday.
In a press briefing at Camp Crame, PNP ACG Director Brig. Gen. Bernard Yang identified the suspects as alias “Usa,” 18, from Cotabato City, and “Agila,” 30, from Zamboanga del Sur.
The two were apprehended in an entrapment operation led by the Northern District Anti-Cybercrime Team, in coordination with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), in Barangay Manuyo Dos last Wednesday.
“’Yung dalawang nahuli natin, we can confirm that they are former employees of POGO. Ito ay mga driver ng ating POGO companies. They started selling these fake money nung nag-stop na sila sa POGO,” said Yang.
The operation was launched following a BSP report on the increasing online sale of counterfeit currency. Cyber patrolling led authorities to a social media post offering a fake P1,000 bill for P150. The suspects sold 150 counterfeit notes for P22,500 during the entrapment.
“May online group talaga na nagbebenta. Several groups ito. So, sinumbong namin ito sa ACG,” said Mark Fajardo of BSP’s Payments and Currency Investigation Group. He noted the poor quality of the fake bills, saying, “Hindi maganda. Medyo apurahan ang pagkakagawa kasi hindi sila sanay.”
He added that the notes were easily identified as fake due to a visible watermark and a printed security thread.
While the source of the counterfeit bills has yet to be confirmed, Yang said authorities are investigating a larger network behind the operation.
The two suspects are currently detained at the ACG custodial facility and face charges for violating Article 168 of the Revised Penal Code, in relation to Section 6 of Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act.
Yang emphasized that the crackdown is in line with the directive of PNP Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III to boost cyber patrolling and counter online threats.
“The sale of counterfeit currency online undermines our financial system and exploits the trust of unsuspecting citizens. Let this serve as a warning to those attempting to use the internet to circulate fake money,” Yang warned.
He added, “The PNP-ACG is actively monitoring these platforms and will act decisively to bring offenders to justice as we remain committed to protecting the public and preserving the integrity of our currency.”