By Itchie G. Cabayan

Copyright journal

Bureau of Immigration-Fugitive Search Unit (BI-FSU) operatives on Friday nabbed two Chinese nationals for operating a love scam hub targeting European and Japanese nationals.

The two were identified in a report submitted by BI-FSU chief Rendel Ryan Sy as Wang Huihuang, 30 and Liu Lin, 35.

Wang, according to Sy, was tagged as the head of a scam hub operating along Gonzalo Puyat Street in Quiapo, Manila while during the course of the operations, agents encountered Liu, who was said to be working as the manager of the residential-based fraud operations.

Sy said the two were caught operating online workstations consisting of 6 computer units actively linked to dating sites, multiple social media accounts, messaging platforms, translators and other applications. They allegedly used said platforms to deceive victims by feigning romantic relationships with them with the aim of swindling money.

Dana Sandoval, BI spokesperson, said that a verification with the BI database showed that the two referenced Chinese nationals were deemed overstaying aliens and were unable to produce passports or any valid immigration documents.

Sandoval added that the arrest resulted in the rescue of two Malaysians who were said to have been held against their will. The victims suffered abusive treatment at the hands of their Chinese employers.

Meanwhile, Wang and Liu face deportation proceedings for being overstaying and undesirable aliens, while the two Malaysian victims were referred to the inter-agency council against trafficking (IACAT) and the Malaysian embassy for appropriate investigation and assistance.