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Philippine police recently raided a high-rise apartment in downtown Manila, successfully dismantling a telecom scam hub targeting overseas victims, arresting four Chinese suspects on the scene. During the operation, some gang members shockingly climbed down the 35-story building's steel frame by hand to escape, creating a startling scene.
According to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) of the Philippines, this raid targeted an organization involved in virtual currency investment scams and "pig butchering" romance scams. When the police stormed in, six suspects quickly fled the scene with portable electronic devices, reflecting the increasing "mobility" and "lightness" of such scam groups.
Outrageously, the apartment's security personnel not only failed to assist law enforcement but also deliberately delayed the police's entry by pre-alerting the scammers. Subsequent investigations revealed that the involved security personnel are suspected of obstructing justice, and they have been formally investigated and face legal prosecution.
Evidence collected at the scene, including laptops, network equipment, and records of cryptocurrency wallets, indicates that the gang may be involved in dozens of transnational scam cases. Faced with media coverage, one Chinese suspect claimed he was "just helping a friend," and the involved security personnel also insisted they were "following regulations." However, the police have refuted both claims based on surveillance and communication records.
The four Chinese suspects have been charged with violations of the "Philippine Financial Fraud Act" among other charges, and are currently detained pending trial. The NBI is further investigating their financial trails and fugitive accomplices, expecting to launch a broader chain of arrests soon.
This incident highlights the penetration of scam groups into upscale residential areas in Manila, drawing widespread social attention. The police have stated that they will intensify inspections of key residential areas to combat such transnational scam groups.
