Manila, May 26 -- The Philippine National Police - Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) arrested 63 individuals, including a 55-year-old foreign national identified as the mastermind, during a raid on an alleged large-scale online investment scam operation in Pasig City.

ACG chief Maj. Gen. Wilson Asueta said the operation stemmed from complaints by victims who were lured through online advertisements and convinced by supposed trading assistants and investment advisers to invest in the XTRADE platform.

Authorities implemented a Warrant to Search, Seize, and Examine Computer Data (WSSECD) on May 20, and uncovered an organized scheme involving marketing personnel, tele-sales agents, and retention agents using scripted messages on various onli...