MANILA — Thirteen individuals accused in a crypto investment scam have pleaded guilty to a lesser offense before a Mandaluyong court, following an arraignment and pre-trial hearing on May 26, 2026.

The proceedings were held at the Regional Trial Court Branch 211, where the accused faced charges of Computer-Related Fraud under Section 4 (b) (2) and Misuse of Devices under Section 4 (a) (5) (ii) of Republic Act No. 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

According to the case records, the accused expressed their intention to plead guilty to a lesser offense under Section 5 (a) of the same law, or Aiding or Abetting in the Commission of Cybercrime. After the court explained the consequences of the plea, all thirteen voluntarily entered a plea of guilty.

Each of the accused was sentenced to a straight penalty of three years imprisonment and was temporarily committed to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) facility in Mandaluyong City while awaiting action on their probation applications.

The case stemmed from an operation conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation – Dangerous Drugs Division (NBI-DDD) on May 9, 2026, which led to the arrest of 15 individuals allegedly involved in scamming activities linked to an alias “Boss Choi.”

Authorities said two of those arrested were foreign nationals and that the operation took place inside a condominium unit in Mandaluyong City.

Based on on-site digital forensic examination, investigators said evidence showed the presence of an organized scamming network operating within the location, leading to the arrest and subsequent inquest proceedings of those involved.