Category: Philippines

Almost every individual has an access to the internet. Undeniably, it can make our lives easier and faster, you can use it for Educational purposes, Communication, Research, Job Hunt and Financial Transactions. Unfortunately, there will always be pros and cons. Just like on the real world crimes are also done on the internet. “Statistics show that from January to December 2016, the Department of Justice, the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine National Police received a total of 3,951 complaints for cybercrime and cyber-related offenses. This is 53.92 percent higher than the number of complaints received in 2015.” The Philippine Star (2018).

According to Supt. Jay Guillermo syndicates can access a person’s data through call center employee, web phishing, through the mall when someone asks is you want a new credit card, lifetime membership they will ask for your receipt and personal information.

Last April 6, 2017 a 44 year old man named Gabriel Mackay was arrested because of credit card fraud and identity theft. A bank file complaint to the PNP-ACG. The suspect was caught at the Recto, Manila while accepting his delivery of the card replacement. Fortunately, the bank coordinates immediately when they found out that the legitimate owner of the credit card is not asking for an address replacement. According to Guillermo there is a possibility that he is not the only person doing the crime. Hence, there are around 3-4 more persons who is an ally of Mackay.

Mackay will be charged with multiple cases including Identity Theft and RA 8484 or Access Device Act and Section 6 of RA 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012).

I found out that Based on the Republic Act No. 8484 Section 9 Prohibited Acts. Thete are two possibilities of what Mackay did (a) producing, using, trafficking in one or more counterfeit access devices and (d) using an access device fraudulently applied for, which Mackay shall be punished with a fine of Ten thousand pesos (P10, 000.00) or twice the value obtained by the offense, whichever is greater and imprisonment for not less than six (6) years and not more than ten (10) years.

I personally think that the following penalties serve him better. You should not  steal someone elses identity in order to earn money. If you really want to earn something you must think of any good jobs that will help you for living. I believe that there are thousand more people like Mackay, who were doing online crimes. The article I read became an eye opener for me in order to be careful when it comes of using the internet. I always remind my parent and my sister to think before posting.

Sometimes my mom post a location where we supposed to go and I immediately ask her to take it down. The police are doing their job when it comes to arresting the suspects of different crimes. But, wouldn’t be better if we take a step in order to decrease the amount of crimes. We must be mindful of everything we post on our social media because we don’t know if there is someone interested in you and will cause you harm just like what Mackay did. Sometimes we put blame on the authorities, but as an individual we don’t do our part in order to keep ourselves from danger. “One single vulnerability is all an attacker needs” – Window Synder

Article: https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/06/17/man-arrested-for-credit-card-fraud-identity-theft