By Benjamin Pulta
MANILA – The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said Tuesday its Special Action Unit (SAU) has arrested five Korean nationals in two separate operations against scamming activities in Imus City, Cavite and Angeles City, Pampanga.
The NBI said operations on May 8 stemmed from intelligence reports regarding alleged “farming” activities being conducted by foreign nationals using the platform “Lineage Classic,” a Korean online multiplayer role-playing game centered on prolonged character progression, player-versus-player combat, clan warfare, and an in-game economy involving “Adena,” the game’s primary virtual currency.
“Adena is widely used in the game to purchase equipment, consumables, and in-game assets, and has reportedly developed exchange value in secondary markets where accounts and virtual assets are traded for real-world monetary consideration,” the NBI said in a statement.
Surveillance operations conducted by the NBI-SAU confirmed the accuracy of the information and the locations of the illicit activities in the cities of Imus and Angeles.
“Subsequently, the agents applied for a Warrant to Search, Seize, and Examine Computer Data (WSSECD) against the two identified locations,” it said.
The NBI-SAU agents implemented a WSSECD against the occupants, tenants, and employees occupying the second and third floors of a certain building in Buhay na Tubig, Imus City, Cavite.
The operation resulted in the seizure of several computers running the online game “Lineage Classic,” and authorities said the subjects used two messaging applications to relay operational tasks, instructions, and gaming-related updates.
Filipino employees present during the operation disclosed that they worked up to 12 hours daily, had only one rest day per week, and received compensation from their Korean supervisor.
The operation resulted in the arrest of the Korean supervisor and his two Korean national cohorts.
They were charged with violating Section 5(d) of Republic Act (RA) 12010 (Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act) and Section 28(e) of RA 8282 (Social Security Act of 1997).
In a separate operation on May 15, the NBI-SAU agents, together with the agents of NBI-Tarlac District Office. successfully implemented WSSECD in Angeles City, Pampanga, which resulted in the arrest of two Korean nationals and the seizure of several computer sets used in the operation of the illegal online game farming operation.
The suspects were also charged with violations of Section 4(b)(2) of RA 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012) and RA 12010. (PNA)
