NBI nabs 19-year-old mastermind of electronic money heist

The National Bureau of Investigation’s Cybercrime Division has arrested an information technology student who allegedly stole money electronically from bank accounts and developed tools that other cyber thieves could use.

According to John Consulta's report on "24 Oras", the NBI identified 19-year-old Justin Claveria as the mastermind of a group of hackers who obtain sensitive banking information and other personal data from clients to commit theft.

Claveria admitted that he had been engaged in the criminal activity for two years. He said the money he stole had been used to buy a car and a property in Batangas.

“‘Di lang siya scammer, developer siya ng mga certain tools na ginagamit ng mga cyber criminals para manakaw ‘yong mga account information natin," Atty. Vic Lorenzo, NBI Cybercrime Division chief, said.

"Medyo top level siya dahil ‘yong technical skills niya hindi at par ‘yan sa common cyber criminals natin. Siya ‘yong gumagawa ng makina para makapagnakaw ng mga account information at mai-share ‘yan doon sa mga cyber criminals," he added.

Authorities seized Claveria's cellphone, which had all the spam messages Claveria used for his phishing activities.

The NBI said the messages Claveria  used were similar to those on a a bank’s official website.

“Out of curiosity po at pangangailangan na rin po kasi po ‘di na ako nakakahingi ng suporta sa magulang ko kaya parang gumawa ako ng way para mapag-aral ‘yong sarili ko,” Claveria said.

NBI director Eric Distor said Claveria should be imprisoned for the things he committed.

"Dapat sa'yo, mabulok sa bilangguan," Distor said.

“Ia-assist natin ang mga nabiktima nilang nawalan ng pera sa bangko na naubos ipon nila at sa mga kasamahan nila na nandiyan pa at nanonood ngayon, sisikapin natin na mahuli silang lahat,” he added. -Ma. Angelica Garcia/NB, GMA News