Manila, March 27 -- Sixteen individuals have been apprehended in a series of operations nationwide targeting online fraud and cyber-enabled estafa, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Friday.

According to the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG), 14 suspects were arrested through court-issued warrants, while two were caught in sting operations conducted between January and February this year.

The suspects allegedly defrauded victims through fake online selling activities and fraudulent investment schemes, the ACG said in a statement.

All 16 were arrested for violations of Article 315 (swindling/estafa) of the Revised Penal Code in relation to Section 6 of Republic Act 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

During the same p...