By Benjamin Pulta
MANILA – The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Tuesday reported the arrest of three individuals in separate operations in Cavite and La Union for offering unauthorized internet services.
The NBI-Cybercrime Division (NBI-CCD) arrested Vanessa Vasquez and Philip Mercado in General Trias City, Cavite for violation of Republic Act (RA) 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012).
Also arrested was Joshua Lictan in Naguilian, La Union for violations of Section 4(a)(1) and Section 4(a)(3) of RA 10175 (Misuse of Devices and System Interference); and Unauthorized Distribution of Network Services in relation to Estafa under the Revised Penal Code (RPC) and RA 8484 (Access Devices Regulation Act of 1998).
A representative from an internet service provider (ISP) filed a complaint with the NBI-CCD against individuals who were allegedly offering internet services to the public through a Facebook account named “RECON VERGECON”.
The account offered various services, including reactivation of disconnected internet services, bandwidth enhancement for current subscribers, modem support, connection of new subscribers, and speed boosting for existing customer connections at a lower price, all without the authority of the ISP.
NBI-CCD agents conducted technical tracing and physical tracing of the complainant’s proprietary Network Access Point and confirmed that the illegal activities were being carried out at a residence in Barangay Parklane Country Homes, General Trias City, Cavite.
NBI agents applied for a Warrant to Search, Seize, and Examine Computer Data (WSSECD), which was granted by the Trece Martires Regional Trial Court Branch 130.
On Aug. 28, NBI-CCD agents arrived at the residence in General Trias City and arrested Cazquez and Mercado.
In a follow-up operation on Sept. 16, the NBI-CCD agents arrested Lictan after unauthorized activities conducted through the ISP’s IP addresses and modems were traced to Naguilian, La Union. (PNA)
