Romance Scam Ring Busted: 31 Arrested in Cebu

Thirty-one people, including two Taiwanese nationals, were arrested in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, on Friday, June 6, 2025, for their alleged participation in a romance scam. The suspects used dating apps and fake e-commerce sites to defraud their victims, according to the police. The operation was carried out by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Central Visayas Regional Office. "We have evidence to show that these activities are illegal, they are fake," said Atty. Rennan Augustus Oliva, Director of NBI-Ceviro. The NBI is collaborating with the Bureau of Immigration to determine if the Taiwanese suspects have any derogatory records. The house used by the suspects was rented and served as a "scam hub" for three months before the raid. The computers seized are believed to have been used in the romance scam. This successful operation underscores the ongoing efforts to combat cybercrime and protect vulnerable individuals from online fraud.