Globe Telecom files charges vs 13 WIMAX fraudsters

Seized WIMAX modems

Globe Telecom has filed charges against 13 individuals involved in the illegal sale and installation of hacked Globe WIMAX modems and Tattoo sticks since the start of the year. Twelve of these individuals have already been charged with cases for violation of Republic Act 8484 or the Access Devices Regulations Act while one of the suspects was charged with theft. More details after the jump.

In most of the cases, the modus operandi has been to pull-out the WIMAX modem from legitimate subscribers on pretext of an upgrade. The modems are then reconfigured and sold at a one-time cost payment.

“We want to warn the public that Globe, in close coordination with the police, will continue to be relentless in pursuing its campaign against illegal sale and hacking of our WIMAX modems. This is a clear violation of Republic Act 8484, also known as Access Device Act and PD 1612 Anti Fencing Law,” said lawyer Froilan Castelo, Head of Globe Corporate and Legal Services Group.

According to Castelo, such unscrupulous activities not only undermine the company’s broadband business but also adversely affect legitimate subscribers from whom the WIMAX modems are taken. He added those who are found guilty of violating said law will have to pay a fine of PHP24,000 and faces  imprisonment of up to 6 years.

The first arrest for the year involved an entrapment operation conducted in February in SM North Reclamation area in Cebu City that resulted in the apprehension of Ian Niel Abenir and Dominic Zabala, who had offered a Globe employee a lifetime internet connection for only PHP3,500 sing a hacked WIMAX modem. A follow-up operation led to the arrest of two more individuals identified as Paul Lacaron and Danilo Manataf.

Another entrapment operation conducted in April in Novaliches, Quezon City led to the arrest of John Paul Capili for trying to sell a cloned WIMAX modem, also for PHP3,500. Two units of WIMAX modems were confiscated from Capili.

In the same month, an entrapment  operation conducted in Dasmarinas, Cavite led to the arrest and filing of charges against Jose Narcida, who was also involved in the illegal hacking and sale of Globe modems.  An associate of Narcida, Reynald Denapo, was also arrested but was categorized as a witness against Narcida.

Also in April, an entrapment operation conducted by police and Globe security personnel led to the arrest of two Visatech employees, identified as Mark Villanueva and Francisco Espino and  Christopher Viado, a sales agent of JV Marketing for illegal sale and installation of WIMAX modems.  Three units of WIMAX modems were seized from the suspects.

In early May, another joint operation by police and Globe security personnel led to the arrest of Pedro Quias in Quezon City. The suspect is reportedly engaged in the activation of Globe WIMAX modems after pulling out the units from unsuspecting subscribers. A flash drive containing various applications, operating systems used in reconfiguring/activating MAC addresses was seized from him.

A follow-up operation by the police in Quezon City led to the arrest of Rodel Ancheta, a cellphone technician. Police seized from him 17 units of WIMAX modems, and other internet paraphernalia.

The latest arrest took place in late May during an entrapment operation in Meycauayan, Bulacan which led to the arrest of Carlo De Ocampo, a cellphone technician, for trying to sell a Globe WIMAX modem for PHP5,000.

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