Election scammers nabbed in Marikina

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police - Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) reported that three people who claimed to be IT specialists from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) were arrested in Marikina City for allegedly offering to "sell victory" in the 2025 elections.

The suspects claimed to have access to automated election results and sought to manipulate the political race for financial gain by promising mayoral candidate Robert Turingan and vice mayoral candidate Karen Kaye Tavas Turingan of Enrile, Cagayan a guaranteed victory in exchange for an astounding P90 million.

Authorities quickly organized an entrapment operation, setting up a meeting between one of the complainants and the accused at a Marikina City mall.

CIDG agents stepped in and captured the suspects as soon as they took the cash. Identification cards, cell phones, a vehicles, and a brown package with a marked P1,000 currency and boodle money were taken from the suspects.

In addition to violating the Omnibus Election Code and the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, the CIDG has accused the individuals of robbery with intimidation or extortion under the Revised Penal Code.