Unveiled in Cebu City: A network of 6 alleged scammers, known as a scam hub.
In a significant move against cybercrime, the police in Central Visayas, led by Police Brigadier General Redrico Maranan, have apprehended 13 individuals involved in a scam hub in the City of Cebu. The operation, which took place on May 27, 2025, targeted a scam hub located in an establishment in Barangay Kasambagan.
The complaint was first filed with the Cebu Provincial Cyber Response Team on July 25, 2025, and was later forwarded to the Buhatan City Prosecutor, Department of Justice. The investigation into the case is being led by Police Lieutenant Junmark Caña, Assistant Chief and Team Leader of the Cebu Cyber Response Team.
While the exact identities of the 13 individuals arrested are not fully disclosed, a joint raid conducted on July 2, 2025, in Barangay Alang-alang, Mandaue City, resulted in the arrest of nine Chinese nationals suspected of running a similar scam hub. The operation involved multiple agencies, including the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), Mandaue City Police, and the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit 7.
The respondents in the case, who were initially using aliases, have been charged under Section 11 (Investment Fraud) of Republic Act 11765 (Financial Products and Services Consumer Protection Act), in relation to Section 6 of Republic Act 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012). The presiding judge overseeing the case is Hon. James Stewart Ramon Himalaloan of RTC Branch 7 in the City of Cebu.
In response to these events, Mandaue City's mayor has ordered a crackdown on illegal activities and established a multi-agency task force to combat scam hubs and related crimes. The police in Central Visayas reiterate their commitment to finding, charging, and protecting the people from cyber scammers in the region.
[1] "Police raid Mandaue City scam hub, arrest 9 Chinese nationals." (2025, July 3). The Philippine Star. Retrieved from https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2025/07/03/2098717/police-raid-mandaue-city-scam-hub-arrest-9-chinese-nationals
[2] "Cebu City police arrest 13 individuals in scam hub operation." (2025, May 28). Rappler. Retrieved from https://www.rappler.com/nation/289641-cebu-city-police-arrest-13-individuals-scam-hub-operation
[3] "Mandaue City to crackdown on illegal activities, establish multi-agency task force." (2025, July 6). SunStar Cebu. Retrieved from https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1903537/Mandaue-City-crackdown-illegal-activities-establish-multi-agency-task-force
- The recent bust in the City of Cebu, where 13 individuals were apprehended for their involvement in a scam hub, highlights the ongoing efforts to combat cybercrime and ensure justice in the Central Visayas region.
- In a parallel investigation led by the Cebu Cyber Response Team, the respondents in the case involving a scam hub in Cebu City were charged under relevant sections of the Financial Products and Services Consumer Protection Act and the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
- As a response to the escalating issue of scam hubs in the region, Mandaue City has established a multi-agency task force to intensify measures against such illegal activities, aiming to deter and prosecute individuals involved in cybercrime and restore general news focused on technology and crime-and-justice peace to the city.
