2 men caught after withdrawing money using stolen bank accounts

2 men were arrested after it was discovered that they were withdrawing money from a bank account that was not theirs and did not have permission from the owner.

The activities of the suspects were noticed when they withdraw over the counter on October 26 for P10,000 at a branch of a bank at A. Bonifacio Avenue in Quezon City.

Photo credit: news.abs-cbn.com

While the victim, a businessman, was processing the bank complaint, the suspect withdraw another P11,000 from the branch on Retiro Avenue on October 29.

Due to the second withdrawal, the victim removed all of his money from the account, but was later on discovered that even his virtual wallet was also used by the thieves.

On November 3, the suspects again tried to withdraw P10,000 from the A. Bonifacio branch, however, the bank had already been notified of the case and the suspects were immediately caught. The bank didn't release a statement regarding the incident because the police already got hold of the case.

At the precinct, it was discovered that the suspects were also collecting remittances for the victim using the ID of an employee of the victim. The suspect also had a notebook with a list of names, email addresses and phone numbers.

Police Maj. Joseph Villaran, public information officer of the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group, warned that hacking often occurs on online selling portals.

The victims think that it may have been through the selling portals where they provided their personal details.

Police have called on to the public to approach them in case they fall victim to the same modus operandi. Experts advise to be extra careful when opening messages and websites.