NBI To Summon 30 More On BDO Heist

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) today said it will summon more or less thirty (30) individuals to shed light on the recent hacking of a Universal Bank, BDO.

NBI OIC-Director Eric B. Distor said that the NBI Cyber Crime Division has identified these individuals in their continuing investigation even as Distor said the NBI has vowed to pursue the investigation of hacking incidents not only of BDO but other banks as well until all the perpetrators are brought to justice and the stolen money are properly accounted for.

NBI OIC-Director Eric B. Distor gave this assurance to the public following the arrest of five (5) Subjects in a successful series of operations conducted from January 17-20, 2022 in Mabalacat, Pampanga and Pasig City by Agents of the NBI-Cyber Crime Division (NBI-CCD).

Of the 5 arrested Subjects, 2 are Nigerian nationals and 3 are Filipinos.

All Subjects have been presented for Inquest Proceedings before the Department of Justice on January 21, 2022. Charges for Misuse of Devices defined and penalized under RA 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, and Violation of the Access Device Regulation Act of 1998 were filed against the Subjects. Distor stressed that a follow up investigation and actions are now being undertaken to identify and unmask Subjects’ cohorts.

NBI Deputy Director for Forensic Investigation Service and concurrent NBI Spokesperson Ferdinand Lavin confirmed that OIC Distor has ordered the CCD to conduct investigation on the alleged hacking of Landbank of the Philippines (LBP) as disclosed by Secretary of Justice.

“Our Agents from the Cyber Crime Division are now coordinating with the LBP Representatives for their initial investigation. Although in their statement, they clarified that there was no hacking that took place and their systems remain to be secured”. According to LBP, the incidents of fraudulent transactions on the two teachers’ accounts were reported to have been caused by phishing which has compromised their personal information. NBI is expecting Complainants/Victims to file their formal complaints before the Cybercrime Division of the Bureau.

Lavin stressed “the Public is encouraged to report to the NBI Cyber Crime Division (CCD) any suspicious activities related to online phishing/hacking activities.

In an effort to respond to increasing complaints of cybercrime, Director has earlier beefed up to strengthen the Bureau’s Cyber Crime Division by assigning an entire batch of newly-trained graduates of the NBI Academy to the CCD.