The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), in coordination with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), raided a house in Brgy. Lagtang, Talisay, Cebu following numerous reports of rampant selling of fake government IDs online.
The raid led to the discovery and confiscation of freshly-made fake IDs, including Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) and PhilHealth cards, as well as equipment used in their production, such as printers, computers, and laminators.
The suspect, identified as Geraldine Tausa, was arrested at the scene. According to the NBI, Tausa is part of a notorious syndicate selling said counterfeit IDs online for prices ranging from ₱150.00 to ₱380.00. To avoid detection, the syndicate arranges for the fake IDs to be picked up from different locations and then delivered through courier services.
BIR Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui, Jr. emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that “The creation and distribution of fake government IDs not only undermine the integrity of our identification system but also facilitate the proliferation of fraudulent activities that can harm many individuals. We are committed to rooting out these illegal operations and bringing those responsible to justice.”
At first glance, the counterfeit IDs produced by the syndicate are almost indistinguishable from legitimate ones. The key difference lies in the QR Code, which, when scanned, reveals the ID’s validity (if authentic or not).
During questioning, Tausa admitted to her involvement in the illegal activity, stating that she had been engaged in it for the past five (5) months. She disclosed that she receives templates and numbers from a supplier, and her role is to print the IDs. Tausa also revealed that she has four (4) resellers distributing the fake IDs. Authorities are now intensifying efforts to track down other members of the syndicate involved in this fraudulent operation.
“This raid is just the beginning. We will continue to pursue and dismantle these criminal networks to protect the public and maintain the credibility of our government institutions”, said Commissioner Lumagui.
