SC Throws Out Credit Card Fraud Evidence in Philippine Court
The Supreme Court of the Philippines has acquitted Edgar Silvano of violating the Access Devices Regulation Act of 1998, ruling that evidence of credit card fraud cannot be seized under a search warrant limited to illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia.
According to the decision penned by Associate Justice Japar B. Dimaampao, the NBI obtained a search warrant for Silvano's residence after conducting a test-buy operation in which an informant purchased suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride from him.
The agents seized various items during the search, including computers, ATMs cards, laptops, and a card-skimming device. However, they also recovered two American Express credit cards bearing the name 'V S Tan', which were later found to be counterfeit by an American Express manager.