A merchant allegedly engaged in the illicit trade of endangered species was apprehended following a collaborative effort between the Philippine National Police and leading digital finance app, GCash. The suspect supposedly had been utilizing digital means to conduct unlawful transactions.
The arrest followed a sting operation where it was discovered that the suspect was selling endangered leopard geckos. The transaction involved an initial down payment made through GCash, followed by a physical exchange of the wildlife for the remaining payment at a prearranged meeting place.
Recovered from Marquez were four live leopard geckos, along with a smartphone used in illegal dealings.
Marquez has been charged under Section 27, paragraphs E (trading of wildlife) and F (possession of wildlife) of Republic Act No. 917, the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, concerning Section 6 of Republic Act No. 10175, also known as the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
GCash issued a stern warning against the misuse of its services for criminal purposes.
"GCash is unwavering in its commitment to safeguarding user funds and preventing the platform from being exploited for illicit activities. To this end, as the largest digital ecosystem in the country we maintain a proactive partnership with law enforcement agencies, such as the PNP-ACG, to ensure that our app remains a secure and trustworthy finance app.," said GCash vice president for corporate communications Gilda Maquilan.
The PNP emphasizes the importance of reporting crimes to bring offenders to justice. They encourage the public to report any suspicious activity to the nearest police station or the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group. Users can contact the PNP-ACG through their hotlines at (02) 8414-1560 or 0998-598-8116, or via email at acg@pnp.gov.ph.
GCash echoed this call, reminding users that they can also report cybercrimes to the GCash Help Center in the app or at help.gcash.com, message Gigi on the website, type "I want to report a scam."
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